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Air Force Institute of Technology
Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering
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Articles 1 - 26 of 26
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Rapid Development: A Content Analysis Comparison Of Literature And Purposive Sampling Of Afrl Rapid Reaction Projects, Andrew R. Smith
Rapid Development: A Content Analysis Comparison Of Literature And Purposive Sampling Of Afrl Rapid Reaction Projects, Andrew R. Smith
Theses and Dissertations
In the current environment of military operations requesting faster delivery schedules to counter insurgent tactics, the engineering team often searches for how to quickly deliver the 80% solution, typically in 6-12 months. These are labeled rapid development projects. A content analysis of best practices in commercial product development literature, where time to market is often a driving factor, was accomplished showing varying emphasis of systems engineering technical and technical management processes. Technical Planning, Stakeholders Requirements Development, and Architecture Design were identified as important processes. This analysis confirms preconceived notions of plan upfront and early by emphasizing the SE processes of …
A Method For Measuring Programmatic Dependency And Interdependency Between Dod Acquisition Programs, Matthew B. Christensen
A Method For Measuring Programmatic Dependency And Interdependency Between Dod Acquisition Programs, Matthew B. Christensen
Theses and Dissertations
There is currently no accepted method for quantitative measurement of acquisition program interdependency. While some methods exist for measuring dependency or interdependency at the component or system level, these methods do not translate well to program interdependency measurement. The objective of this thesis is to provide a model for measuring acquisition program interdependency accurately and quantitatively. The model presented in this thesis uses four Interdependency Factors to identify dependency relationships between programs. Specific Interdependency Levels are then used to measure the strengths of those dependencies. The model also accounts for measurement of dependencies upon programs that are not directly connected, …
Modeling And Analysis Of High Energy Laser Weapon System Performance In Varying Atmospheric Conditions, Megan P. Melin
Modeling And Analysis Of High Energy Laser Weapon System Performance In Varying Atmospheric Conditions, Megan P. Melin
Theses and Dissertations
This thesis addresses two primary concerns relating to Directed Energy (DE) models and tests: need for more use of Design of Experiment (DOE) in structuring DE models and tests, and lack of modeling atmospheric variability in High Energy Laser (HEL) weapon system propagation models and tests. To address these concerns we use a DOE factorial design to capture main, interaction, and non-linear effects between modeled weapon design and environmental factors in a well defined simulated Air-to-Ground HEL engagement scenario. The scenario modeled considers a B1-B aircraft in the 2022 timeframe equipped with an HEL weapon, irradiating a ground target from …
Identification And Classification Of Player Types In Massive Multiplayer Online Games Using Avatar Behavior, Earl M. Bednar
Identification And Classification Of Player Types In Massive Multiplayer Online Games Using Avatar Behavior, Earl M. Bednar
Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of our research is to develop an improved methodology for classifying players (identifying deviant players such as terrorists) through multivariate analysis of data from avatar characteristics and behaviors in massive multiplayer online games (MMOGs). To build our classification models, we developed three significant enhancements to the standard Generalized Regression Neural Networks (GRNN) modeling method. The first enhancement is a feature selection technique based on GRNNs, allowing us to tailor our feature set to be best modeled by GRNNs. The second enhancement is a hybrid GRNN which allows each feature to be modeled by a GRNN tailored to its …
Enterprise Requirements And Acquisition Model, David A. Leach, Chad T. Searle
Enterprise Requirements And Acquisition Model, David A. Leach, Chad T. Searle
Theses and Dissertations
In support of senior leadership emphasis on improving early systems engineering and analysis, the Enterprise Requirements and Acquisition Model (ERAM) is a quantitative discrete-event process simulation model that accounts for activities from the identification of a desired space capability early in the JCIDS process through Milestone C of the acquisition system resulting in a probabilistic schedule distribution for a given concept. This model of the DoD's space capability development process will provide valuable decision making information for Concept Characterization and Technical Descriptions referenced during Analysis of Alternatives. The research focused on identifying activities, assigning historical triangular distributions and probabilities at …
Face Recognition Via Ensemble Sift Matching Of Uncorrelated Hyperspectral Bands And Spectral Pcts, Mohd Fairul Mohd-Zaid
Face Recognition Via Ensemble Sift Matching Of Uncorrelated Hyperspectral Bands And Spectral Pcts, Mohd Fairul Mohd-Zaid
Theses and Dissertations
Face recognition is not a new area of study, but facial recognition using through hyperspectral images is a somewhat new concept which is still in its infancy. Although the conventional method of face recognition using Red-Green-Blue (RGB) or grayscale images has been advanced over the last twenty years, these methods are still shown to have weak performance whenever there are variations or changes in lighting, pose, or temporal aspect of the subjects. A hyperspectral representation of an image captures more information that is available within a scene than a RGB image therefore it is beneficial to study the performance of …
Contextual Detection Of Anomalies In Hyperspectral Images, Adam J. Messer
Contextual Detection Of Anomalies In Hyperspectral Images, Adam J. Messer
Theses and Dissertations
The majority of anomaly detectors in Hyperspectral Imaging use only the statistical aspects of the spectral readings in the image. These detectors fail to use the spatial context that is contained in the images. The use of this information can yield detectors that out perform their spatially myopic counterparts. To demonstrate this, we will use an independent component analysis based detector, autonomous global anomaly detector (AutoGAD), developed at AFIT augmented to account for the spatial context of the detected anomalies. Through the use of segmentation algorithms, the anomalies identified are formed into regions. The size and shape of these regions …
Empirical Characterization Of Ballistic Impact Flash, Thomas P. Talafuse
Empirical Characterization Of Ballistic Impact Flash, Thomas P. Talafuse
Theses and Dissertations
Fires onboard aircraft are leading mechanisms for mishaps and losses during peacetime and combat operations. Typical ignition sources causing fires onboard aircraft include electrical sparks and hot surfaces. However, impact and penetration of common threats encountered during combat operations, such as armor piercing incendiary projectiles and missile fragments, generate short-lived, but thermally-intense clouds (flashes) capable of igniting fires. Fire simulations supporting system-level survivability analyses depend on accurate characterization of these flash clouds, however, such accurate representations are not currently available. This research presents the modeling approach developed to estimate the boundary model representations of impact flashes. The research presents generalized …
A Primary Care Workload Production Model For Estimating Relative Value Unit Output, Rachel G. Murphy
A Primary Care Workload Production Model For Estimating Relative Value Unit Output, Rachel G. Murphy
Theses and Dissertations
Health care costs have grown to unsustainable levels nationally and within the Department of Defense. Military health care costs have historically been difficult to isolate, causing budget cuts to be the vehicle for cost control. Maximum efficiency, therefore, is the goal in order to show improvement. With the Air Force’s new preventive health plan, they aim to drive a long-term posture for cost reduction through prevention. This research effort aimed to develop a tool to assist in future efforts to understand and improve efficiency in workload output, and whether a relationship exists between patient workload demand and the per-encounter variables …
A Methodology Using Simulation Results For Test And Evaluation, Jonathon S. Hosket
A Methodology Using Simulation Results For Test And Evaluation, Jonathon S. Hosket
Theses and Dissertations
Each year the Air Force spends billions of dollars on Test and Evaluation to ensure acquisition programs roll out the best possible products. In 1997, the National Research Council assembled to evaluate the overall procedure used in procuring various platforms with system planning, research, development and engineering (SPRDE) and program management (PM) processes. In their final report, they claimed that the full advantages of statistical practices, simulation, model-test-models, and incorporation of prior test information into current test practices have not been fully utilized. To examine one of the report's recommendations, this thesis defines and explores a methodology using simulation to …
Weighted Key Player Problem For Social Network Analysis, Ryan M. Mcguire
Weighted Key Player Problem For Social Network Analysis, Ryan M. Mcguire
Theses and Dissertations
Social network analysis is a tool set whose uses range from measuring the impact of marketing campaigns to disrupting clandestine terrorist organizations. Social network analysis tools are primarily focused on the structure of relationships between actors in the network. However, characteristics of the actors, such as importance or status, are generally the output of the social network analysis rather than an input. Characteristics of actors can come from a number of sources to include information gathering, subject matter experts or social network analysis. Further, the strength of relationships between actors in social networks are often assumed to be all equal. …
Optimizing Ground Times For Amc Aircraft In Afghanistan, Eric W. Bucheit Jr.
Optimizing Ground Times For Amc Aircraft In Afghanistan, Eric W. Bucheit Jr.
Theses and Dissertations
This research provides insight into the cargo unloading and loading process and times at three airfields in Afghanistan. Using a linear regression model and its prediction capability, a more stabilized environment is produced. This uses the times from seven historical months of continuous operations in Afghanistan and uses this information for the prediction expressions. Using this model, no throughput is lowered and early and late times are lowered by an average of seven minutes per mission. Over the course of a month, this increases planning stability by 74.1 hours. This not only impacts the planning at the downrange location, but …
A Simulation Of The Ecss Help Desk With The Erlang A Model, Michael E. Chua
A Simulation Of The Ecss Help Desk With The Erlang A Model, Michael E. Chua
Theses and Dissertations
During steady states, the Level 1 help desk might expect about 500 to 600 calls per month. That is about 0.39 to 0.46 calls per user per month, which represents the workload once ECSS is established and most of the users have already received training for the system. The optimal level for this workload is about 12 agents to operate the entire 24 hour period. At this level, the Level 1 help desk would minimize the amount of customers that renege from the system to about 15 to 22 percent and still maintain acceptable utilization percentages of about 52% to …
Tailoring The Statistical Experimental Design Process For Lvc Experiments, Casey L. Haase
Tailoring The Statistical Experimental Design Process For Lvc Experiments, Casey L. Haase
Theses and Dissertations
The use of Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) Simulation environments are increasingly being examined for potential analytical use particularly in test and evaluation. The LVC simulation environments provide a mechanism for conducting joint mission testing and system of systems testing when scale and resource limitations prevent the accumulation of the necessary density and diversity of assets required for these complex and comprehensive tests. The statistical experimental design process is re-examined for potential application to LVC experiments and several additional considerations are identified to augment the experimental design process for use with LVC. This augmented statistical experimental design process is demonstrated …
Determining Pilot Manning For Bomber Longevity, Jason S. Hamilton
Determining Pilot Manning For Bomber Longevity, Jason S. Hamilton
Theses and Dissertations
In support of US Air Force efforts to conserve resources without sacrificing capability, this research examines the question of whether the 509th Bomb Wing could continue to provide maximum combat capability with fewer assigned pilots. During peacetime, pilot proficiency training comprises the majority of annual flying hours for the small B-2 bomber fleet. Optimal pilot manning will decrease the accumulation of excess wear on the airframes; helping to extend the viable life of the B-2 fleet and preserve the deterrent and combat capabilities that it provides to the United States. The operations and maintenance activity flows for B-2 aircraft and …
Measure Of Effectiveness For Jstars Ground Moving Target Indicator: A Value Focused Thinking Approach, Gardner J. Joyner
Measure Of Effectiveness For Jstars Ground Moving Target Indicator: A Value Focused Thinking Approach, Gardner J. Joyner
Theses and Dissertations
As the nature of warfare has shifted from a conventional approach to more guerilla type warfare, intelligence has become more important than at any other time in the history of the United States Military. With the stochastic nature of intelligence gathering, it is almost impossible to know with any degree of certainty where and when the next piece of information that could possibly change the course of the battle or war will be obtained. US intelligence gathering assets have long been plagued with using useless measures of performance rather than measures of effectiveness to determine their worth. This research uses …
Measuring The Utility Of A Cyber Incident Mission Impact Assessment (Cimia) Process For Mission Assurance, Christy L. Peterson
Measuring The Utility Of A Cyber Incident Mission Impact Assessment (Cimia) Process For Mission Assurance, Christy L. Peterson
Theses and Dissertations
Information is a critical asset on which virtually all modern organizations depend upon to meet their operational mission objectives. Military organizations, in particular, have embedded Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) into their core mission processes as a means to increase their operational efficiency, exploit automation, improve decision quality, and shorten the kill chain. However, the extreme dependence upon ICT results in an environment where a cyber incident can result in severe mission degradation, or possibly failure, with catastrophic consequences to life, limb, and property. These consequences can be minimized by maintaining real-time situational awareness of mission critical resources so appropriate …
Utilizing Social Network Analysis In Support Of Nation Building, Brandon J. Bernardoni
Utilizing Social Network Analysis In Support Of Nation Building, Brandon J. Bernardoni
Theses and Dissertations
Social network analysis is a powerful set of techniques used by social scientists to study the formal and informal interrelations in a community. Since 9/11 these techniques have been increasingly utilized by the defense and intelligence communities to analyze terrorist networks to aid in thwarting our foes. This study investigates the use of social networks and structural holes to facilitate nation building in failed and failing states. Investigation of the underlying social structure of a community, identifying st ructural holes and gaps within the government, Security Stabilization Transition and Reconstruction Operations (SSTRO) efforts can be focused to strengthen the host …
Optimal Ch-47 And C-130 Workload Balance, Dustin P. Jones
Optimal Ch-47 And C-130 Workload Balance, Dustin P. Jones
Theses and Dissertations
The Air Force can save thousands of dollars by reducing the number of blade hours on the CH-47 through finding an optimal mixture of CH-47s and C-130s to conduct current operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Ultimately these savings will relieve maintenance operations for the CH-47 and lengthen the lifespan of the CH-47 airframe. Moreover, incorporating C-130s into the operations will reduce cargo transit time from supply depots. This study looks at the involvement of the C-130 in CH-47 airlift operations to reduce CH-47 usage and increase supply efficiency. The research focus is narrowed to current airlift operations in Afghanistan and …
Multi Criteria Decision Support Model For The Turkish Air Force Personnel Course/Education Planning System, Cem Malyemez
Multi Criteria Decision Support Model For The Turkish Air Force Personnel Course/Education Planning System, Cem Malyemez
Theses and Dissertations
Many personnel are assigned to different courses and educational opportunities in the Turkish Air Force every year. This daunting process requires a great deal of time and does not currently seek to find an optimal solution. The Turkish Air Force has a database for all personnel information, but the officials use just a few quantitative personnel data points to complete their tasks. Moreover, the matching process is done by hand. Therefore there is a need for a model, which supports the Decision Makers, to cover the some of the other quantitative data points and also add some qualitative data for …
Decision Analysis And Validation Of Value Focused Thinking Decision Models Using Multivariate Analysis Techniques, James L. Pruitt
Decision Analysis And Validation Of Value Focused Thinking Decision Models Using Multivariate Analysis Techniques, James L. Pruitt
Theses and Dissertations
Decision Analysis (DA) is a useful tool to assist decision makers (DM) with difficult and complex decisions using mathematical models. Value Focused Thinking (VFT) models are a useful DA tool widely employed in the Air Force. However, VFT models are rarely validated. This research will attempt to validate any given VFT model and provide insight into the discriminating attributes of the alternative set. First, a two group discriminant analysis is applied the alternative set given the prior knowledge of the selected alternatives. Next, compromise programming is used attempt to minimize the distance between the posterior probability of an alternative being …
Alternative Active Duty Military Retirement Plan, Amy L. Schmidt
Alternative Active Duty Military Retirement Plan, Amy L. Schmidt
Theses and Dissertations
No abstract provided.
Determining The Value Of Future Information, James J. Springston
Determining The Value Of Future Information, James J. Springston
Theses and Dissertations
Companies continuously struggle to quantify the value of their information in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the return on investment of their information technology (IT) architecture. One approach companies have taken to place a numeric value on information is to treat it as a traditional economic asset (e.g. equipment, buildings, and vehicles) that is governed by its own unique set of laws. Once an enterprise understands the behavior of information it can incorporate Skyrme's "10 value adding aspects of information" when developing IT architecture, thus maximizing the potential value of their information. Like most enterprises, the Intelligence …
Migration Issues In The Democratic Republic Of Congo, Michael J. Thompson
Migration Issues In The Democratic Republic Of Congo, Michael J. Thompson
Theses and Dissertations
Since the end of the Cold War, the number of weak and failing states has increased significantly. The United States (US) military has been deployed in multiple nation states in an effort to prevent these weak states from collapsing into chaos. This thesis explores one of the driving factors of state collapse, net migration, to gauge how US foreign policy might be employed to reduce the flow of people out of a country. To demonstrate the foreign policies and their effects, a pilot model was constructed using a system dynamics methodology. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was selected as …
Fusion Schemes For Ensembles Of Hyperspectral Anomaly Detection Algorithms, Brooks R. Turnquist
Fusion Schemes For Ensembles Of Hyperspectral Anomaly Detection Algorithms, Brooks R. Turnquist
Theses and Dissertations
Hyperspectral imaging is playing an ever increasing role in our military's remote sensing operations. The exponential increase in collection operations generates more data than can be evaluated by analysts unassisted. Anomaly detectors attempt to reduce this load on analysts by identifying potential target pixels which appear anomalous when compared to what are determined to be background, or non-target, pixels. However, there is no one individual algorithm that is best suited for all situations and it can be difficult to choose the best algorithm for each individual task. Fusion techniques have been shown to reduce errors and increase generalization, eliminating the …
Application And Validation Of Concept Maturity Assessment Framework, Mathews C. Scharch, Jeremy J. Homan
Application And Validation Of Concept Maturity Assessment Framework, Mathews C. Scharch, Jeremy J. Homan
Theses and Dissertations
Far too often decision makers select concepts based on insufficient data, resulting in projects that are over-budget, over-schedule, and not what the customer wants. Research efforts have proposed a stage-gated concept maturity framework as a tool to assess and increase the maturity of concepts. This research uses multiple validation techniques to demonstrate the value this framework can provide. Interviews with acquisition professionals capture qualitative and quantitative data on the utility of the elements of the framework and the acquisition process. This research also applies the framework to a current acquisition program to determine if it can be broadly applied for …