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Articles 1 - 16 of 16
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
The Photo-Realistic Afit Virtual Cockpit, Milton E. Diaz
The Photo-Realistic Afit Virtual Cockpit, Milton E. Diaz
Theses and Dissertations
The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has pursued research in virtual environments since 1988. This research expands the current capabilities of the AFIT Virtual Cockpit (VC) by increasing the realism of the cockpit environment and improving the pilot's command interface. Realism is improved creating console elements from texture maps and polygonal models; these elements include working dials, switches and circuit breakers. The pilot command interface is improved in part by adapting the AFIT Information Pod using a two-dimensional mouse input to the virtual three-dimensional environment. This immersive virtual environment is also improved by modifications to the Head Mounted Display …
A Quantitative Feedback Theory Fcs Design For The Subsonic Envelope Of The Vista F-16 Including Configuration Variation, Scott N. Phillips
A Quantitative Feedback Theory Fcs Design For The Subsonic Envelope Of The Vista F-16 Including Configuration Variation, Scott N. Phillips
Theses and Dissertations
An aircraft's response to control inputs varies widely throughout its flight envelope. The aircraft configuration also impacts control response through variations in center of gravity and moments of inertia. Designing a flight control system (FCS) to accommodate the full flight envelope and configuration set of an aircraft is clearly a complex undertaking. Quantitative feedback theory (QFT) is a design tool which enables the engineer to attack this task in an efficient way. Although QFT is a robust control design technique, it is an interactive algorithm allowing the engineer full control over compensator order and gain. In this research effort, a …
Artificially Intelligent Air Combat Simulation Agents, Daniel E. Gisselquist
Artificially Intelligent Air Combat Simulation Agents, Daniel E. Gisselquist
Theses and Dissertations
The Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), in an effort to improve military simulations, has proposed a standard for Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS). This network protocol will allow dissimilar applications to communicate simulation information. In the field of air combat, this will allow pilots in remote simulators to fly in a common simulation. The success of this standard is dependent on applications being able to work within that standard, as well as a large variety of Computer Generated Forces (CGFs) to complement interactive forces. CGFs are needed to help simulate the large combat scenarios that can only occur in wartime. By …
An Improved Heuristic For Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Crew Scheduling, Michael D. Shirley Jr.
An Improved Heuristic For Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Crew Scheduling, Michael D. Shirley Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
Creating monthly schedules for missile crews is a complex and time-consuming problem. Thousands of events must be scheduled for several hundred missile officers. The rules and regulations governing the problem are numerous, and there are currently no established measures for missile crew schedules. The scheduling software currently available only schedules a fraction of the events. The objectives of this research were to create a rule-based heuristic which could quickly produce feasible or near-feasible schedules, to make the scheduling process paperless, and to develop possible measures of effectiveness for missile crew schedules. The research was successful in each of these areas. …
Life Cycle Costs Of Alternatives For F-16 Printed Circuit Board Diagnosis Equipment, Kent R. Montgomery, Clifford B. Thorstenson
Life Cycle Costs Of Alternatives For F-16 Printed Circuit Board Diagnosis Equipment, Kent R. Montgomery, Clifford B. Thorstenson
Theses and Dissertations
This study analyzes two alternatives for printed circuit board (PCB) diagnosis for the F-16 depot PCB repair shop from a life cycle cost (LCC) perspective. Alternative 1 assumes the use of the current F-16 automatic test equipment (ATE) while Alternative 2 augments the current ATE with infrared imaging test equipment. Infrared imaging is a developed technology that is currently available to the Air Force in a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) form. Using the Cost Analysis and Strategy Assessment (CASA) Life Cycle Cost (LCC) Model and data from the DL41 database on F-16 PCBs this study determined that over the current expected life …
An Analysis Of The Effect Of Personnel Drawdown Initiatives On Aircrew Experience, Keith L. Hedgepeth, Lennie J. Simpson
An Analysis Of The Effect Of Personnel Drawdown Initiatives On Aircrew Experience, Keith L. Hedgepeth, Lennie J. Simpson
Theses and Dissertations
This study analyzes the effects of personnel reduction initiatives on aircrew experience levels of Air Force pilots and navigators. Four key measures of experience were defined, including total flight hours, flying hours in Primary Assigned Aircraft PAA, total hours at time of upgrade to instructor, and total PAA hours at time of upgrade to instructor. Three objectives were established for this study. These objectives measured the degree of change in overall aircrew experience for pilots and navigators in six major weapon systems, to determine if changes in aircrew experience varied by weapon system, and if changes in aircrew experience varied …
A Maintenance Manpower Study Of The Composite Wing At Mountain Home Afb, Stella T. Smith, Cristina C. Vilella
A Maintenance Manpower Study Of The Composite Wing At Mountain Home Afb, Stella T. Smith, Cristina C. Vilella
Theses and Dissertations
In response to changes in threats, the Air Force has reorganized several flying units into composite wings. They are intended to provide a flexible, rapid deployment force. This study focused on the impact of the composite wing organizational structure on the determination of maintenance manpower authorizations at Mountain Home AFB, the Air Forces first air intervention wing. An opinion survey of maintenance and manpower experts was used to identify factors that are important in the determination of maintenance manpower authorization levels. Statistical analysis identified important-factors and indicated differences in opinion between maintenance and manpower specialists. Factors specific to the composite …
Quality Improvement Analysis Of The Air Force Aircraft Maintenance And Munitions Officers Course, Jeffrey T. Acred, James R. Witter
Quality Improvement Analysis Of The Air Force Aircraft Maintenance And Munitions Officers Course, Jeffrey T. Acred, James R. Witter
Theses and Dissertations
Previous research concerning aircraft maintenance officer training focused on the content of the training curriculum of the Aircraft Maintenance and Munitions Officers Course AMMOC. Conversely, this study sought improvement in aircraft maintenance officer training by evaluating the guidance and support provided to AMMOC. Two methods were employed for identifying such opportunities. First, a descriptive model of the training system supporting AMMOC was developed and analyzed. Second, feedback was solicited from AMMOC instructors through the use of a two-round Delphi. The Delphi was employed to develop a consensus among the instructors regarding what improvement opportunities existed and potential means for taking …
A Requirements Analysis For An Integrated Maintenance Information System Application Into Theater Air Control System Maintenance, Morris C. Blumenthal Iii, Stephen W. Starks
A Requirements Analysis For An Integrated Maintenance Information System Application Into Theater Air Control System Maintenance, Morris C. Blumenthal Iii, Stephen W. Starks
Theses and Dissertations
This research was to determine to what extent Integrated Maintenance Information System IMIS functional requirements could satisfy the maintenance information requirements of the ground-based Theater Air Control System. IMIS is a program sponsored by Armstrong Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio to automate maintenance information. To date, Armstrong Laboratory has only targeted aircraft maintenance for this automated program. The Theater Air Control System contains powerful military radars connected to a mobile communications and computer network. Theater Air Control System maintenance information requirements were identified through a study of the 728th Air Control Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, …
Developing A Template For Logistics Test And Evaluation, Timothy J. Fennell, Jason S. Mogle
Developing A Template For Logistics Test And Evaluation, Timothy J. Fennell, Jason S. Mogle
Theses and Dissertations
Logistics test and evaluation, performed during the developmental test and evaluation effort, is an integral part of the aircraft acquisition process. However, there has been no standard approach to conducting logistics test and evaluation. This study researched past and present approaches to aircraft logistics test and evaluation to determine the most effective method for future programs. We conducted this study using the Delphi method. We solicited the expert opinions of 32 individuals from the logistics test and evaluation field using two rounds of questions. We then statistically analyzed the data to ultimately develop a logistics test and evaluation template. We …
Logistics Control Facility: A Normative Model For Total Asset Visibility In The Air Force Logistics System, Eric C. Lorraine, Michael E. Michno
Logistics Control Facility: A Normative Model For Total Asset Visibility In The Air Force Logistics System, Eric C. Lorraine, Michael E. Michno
Theses and Dissertations
Computer simulation was used to evaluate the impact of a Logistics Control Facility LCF with a Total Asset Visibility TAV system on the AF logistics systems ability to support a weapon system. For this study, the B-1B was chosen as the weapon system of interest. Two performance measures, expected fully mission capable rates and expected pipeline quantities, were used to evaluate the simulation results. Two-sample tests were used to compare the current logistics configuration of the B-1B with the same configuration, but with an LCF controlling the movement of assets. The expected FMC rate performance measure showed significant results while …
Benchmarking Customer Service Practices Of Air Cargo Carriers: A Case Study Approach, Patrick D. Lozon, Michael B. Mcdaniel
Benchmarking Customer Service Practices Of Air Cargo Carriers: A Case Study Approach, Patrick D. Lozon, Michael B. Mcdaniel
Theses and Dissertations
This study used the benchmarking process incorporated in a case study approach to determine what the Air Force could learn from the commercial air cargo carriers in regard to customer service practices. The air cargo industry leaders were determined through a previous study to be United Parcel Service, Federal Express, Emery Air Freight, Airborne Freight, DHL Airways, and Burlington Air Express. In addition, the 437th Aerial Port Squadron APS at Charleston AFB South Carolina was the Air Force representative in the benchmarking study. Interviews with air cargo managers were conducted at each carrier’s main hub and at Charleston AFB. The …
Organic Maintenance Performance Measurement: A New Approach, John S. Nehr, William G. Queener
Organic Maintenance Performance Measurement: A New Approach, John S. Nehr, William G. Queener
Theses and Dissertations
The growing role of Air Force Air Logistics Centers ALC in complex, multiyear developmental programs increases the need for effective cost and schedule performance measurement. In order to effectively manage these activities, timely and accurate cost and schedule information must be collected and compared with an established baseline. The ALCs need a new management technique which facilitates this type of performance measurement. A proven approach to cost and schedule performance measurement in weapon system acquisitions is Earned Value EV. This approach, required of contractors who are subjected to the CostSchedule Control Systems Criteria CSCSC, allows the program manager to obtain …
A Mean Value Analysis Heuristic For Analysis Of Aircraft Sortie Generation, Richard C. Jenkins
A Mean Value Analysis Heuristic For Analysis Of Aircraft Sortie Generation, Richard C. Jenkins
Theses and Dissertations
The primary objective of this study was to develop an analytical methodology based on the Mean Value Analysis algorithm that approximates the performance characteristics of a queueing network model QNM containing a fork- join queue with probabilistic branching. These performance characteristics are response time, throughput and queue length at each station. The QNM solved contains the essential features of the aircraft sortie generation process. The sensitivity of the methods accuracy to increases in server utilization was determined. The comparisons of the results of the MVA heuristic to the outputs of the Logistics Composite Model LCOM simulation indicate that the heuristics …
The Prediction Of Pilot Opinion Ratings Using Optimal And Sub-Optimal Pilot Models, Craig R. Edkins
The Prediction Of Pilot Opinion Ratings Using Optimal And Sub-Optimal Pilot Models, Craig R. Edkins
Theses and Dissertations
This study details the development of a sub-optimal pilot model that blended the classical and optimal pilot model approaches in an attempt to achieve the advantages of each. This model used a numerical solution to the linear quadratic Gaussian problem to find the pilot gain, lead, and lag values that minimized a performance index consisting of task error and control usage. This development was conducted in four phases. First, an optimal pilot model developed by Systems Technology, Incorporated, was analyzed in detail. This analysis included a step-by-step example problem to clarify the model's logic and an in-depth sensitivity analysis of …
Feasibility Analysis For Predicting A Kinetic Kill Zone For Aircraft Homing Missile Defense, Mark E. Ennis
Feasibility Analysis For Predicting A Kinetic Kill Zone For Aircraft Homing Missile Defense, Mark E. Ennis
Theses and Dissertations
An extended Kalman filter is used to predict a kinetic kill zone for use in aircraft self defense versus homing missiles. The analysis is limited to an in-the-plane analysis and focuses on finding the model parameters which have the largest impact on the predicted kill zone. No attempt is made to optimize the design of the filter model itself. The analysis computes the kill zone relative to an assumed aircraft trajectory using strictly filter computed statistics. No Monte-Carlo simulations are used throughout the thesis. The filter assumed to be on the evading aircraft, uses an onboard laser radar (ladar) to …