Optimization of the Air Apportionment in a Tac Thunder Scenario Using Response Surface Methodology
Abstract
To effectively compare different sets of available aircraft, it is necessary to find the apportionment that maximizes the effectiveness of each set of aircraft. This research effort uses an unclassified TAC THUNDER scenario to show how an analyst can use response surface methodology (RSM) techniques to estimate the relationship between aircraft apportionment and campaign outcomes. The optimal apportionments for one phase of a hypothetical conflict was found by using a steepest-gradient search of the constrained response surfaces. The results are illustrated by illuminating charts showing the various relationships between the number of aircraft in the theater and measures of effectiveness such as FLOT movement and attrition. The results show close air support and interdiction missions to be highly effective in this phase of the scenario. The effect of the enemy's air-to-air probability of kill (AAP) and surface-to-air probability of kill (SAP) on the MOEs provides insight into the sensitivity of the solution in terms of these operational uncertainty parameters. This type of sensitivity analysis also provides useful information on how the TAC THUNDER algorithms interact to simulate the combat environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA278494
Entities
People
- Steven L. Forsythe
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology