Optimization of a Constrained Spherical Location Problem: The Case of Single Air Craft Mid-Air Refueling.
Abstract
This paper addresses the problem of a single military transport aircraft that must carry cargo from an origin base to a destination base. Refueling is required and performed by a tanker aircraft that originates from and returns to a third base. The objective is to determine the initial fuel required by each aircraft and the location of the refueling point so as to minimize the total fuel consumed subject to restrictions on the range of the transport and the tanker. Based on U.S. Air Force data, analytical relationships are derived which allow the problem to be formulated similar to a constrained spherical Weber problem with two main differences: 1) the objective function is non-linear, and 2) some of the constraints are a function of the decision variable. Spherical convexity of both the objective function and feasible region is shown and used to develop an optimal algorithm. Computational experience is given. Keywords: Spheres, Position finding; Logistics planning.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA183658
Entities
People
- Abdulrahman Yamani
- Louis A. Martin-vega
- Thomas J. Hodgson
Organizations
- North Carolina State University