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Full-Text Articles in Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering

Approximate Dynamic Programming For Military Resource Allocation, Carl R. Parson Dec 2014

Approximate Dynamic Programming For Military Resource Allocation, Carl R. Parson

Theses and Dissertations

This research considers the optimal allocation of weapons to a collection of targets with the objective of maximizing the value of destroyed targets. The weapon-target assignment (WTA) problem is a classic non-linear combinatorial optimization problem with an extensive history in operations research literature. The dynamic weapon target assignment (DWTA) problem aims to assign weapons optimally over time using the information gained to improve the outcome of their engagements. This research investigates various formulations of the DWTA problem and develops algorithms for their solution. Finally, an embedded optimization problem is introduced in which optimization of the multi-stage DWTA is used to …


Exploring Individual Differences In Workload Assessment, Danielle K. Boeke Dec 2014

Exploring Individual Differences In Workload Assessment, Danielle K. Boeke

Theses and Dissertations

Air Force missions continue to increase in complexity often imposing higher levels of task load from cognitive tasks on the operators. This increased task load manifests itself in increased cognitive workload and potentially derogated performance. While cognitive workload has been studied for decades, recent advances in objective workload models and physiology monitoring have the potential to provide a more robust understanding of workload, potentially allowing systems to adaptively employ automation to maintain operator peak performance. The current research sought to provide insight into the relationship between subjective workload, task performance, objective workload, and select physiology measures. Analysis of an existing …


A Decision Analysis Framework For Evaluation Of Helmet Mounted Display Alternatives For Fighter Aircraft, Matthew R. Dansereau Dec 2014

A Decision Analysis Framework For Evaluation Of Helmet Mounted Display Alternatives For Fighter Aircraft, Matthew R. Dansereau

Theses and Dissertations

The promise of providing an intuitive and efficient information interface, while allowing the warfighter to perform other critical tasks such as targeting or aircraft control, has led to the growing popularity of Helmet Mounted Displays (HMDs) across the military landscape, especially combat aircraft. Though design and selection of competing systems is critical to optimized performance and safety, structured methods for the evaluation of HMDs are not often used in the acquisition community, leaving selection among alternative designs to the judgment of subject matter experts. However, technical decision-making has been shown to be flawed without the use of a structured decision …


Characterizing And Managing Intrusion Detection System (Ids) Alerts With Multi-Server/Multi-Priority Queuing Theory, Christopher C. Olsen Dec 2014

Characterizing And Managing Intrusion Detection System (Ids) Alerts With Multi-Server/Multi-Priority Queuing Theory, Christopher C. Olsen

Theses and Dissertations

The DoD sets forth an objective to employ an active cyber defense capability to prevent intrusions onto DoD networks and systems. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are a critical part of network defense architectures, but their alerts can be difficult to manage. This research applies Queuing Theory to the management of IDS alerts, seeking to answer how analysts and priority schemes effect alert processing performance. To characterize the effect of these two variables on queue wait times, a MATLAB simulation was developed to allow parametric analysis under two scenarios. The first varies the number of analysts and the second varies the …


Air Force Inspection System: An Application For System-Of-Systems (Sos) Engineering, Joseph R. Lay Jun 2014

Air Force Inspection System: An Application For System-Of-Systems (Sos) Engineering, Joseph R. Lay

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Combat Command (ACC) Inspector General (IG) assesses the operational readiness and combat effectiveness of units by evaluating individual wings. Today's conflicts; however, are waged as a joint force. The Joint Forces Commander (JFC) leverages the resources of the entire military complex to achieve strategic objectives. The synergistic effects, created by the integration of individual weapon systems, produce greater results than the individual components. Evaluating wings outside the joint System of Systems (SoS) architecture does not provide a true assessment of combat readiness. Using a case study method, this research examines the idea of integrating a joint SoS architecture …


System Theoretic Analysis Of Battery Equalization Systems, Haoqi Chen May 2014

System Theoretic Analysis Of Battery Equalization Systems, Haoqi Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Battery equalizers are widely used in multi-battery systems to maintain balanced charge among individual battery cells. While the research on the hardware realization of battery equalizers has received significant attention, rigorous analysis of battery equalization from the system's point of view remains largely unexplored. In this research, we study three types of battery equalization system structures: series-based, layer-based, and module-based. Specifically, we develop mathematical models that describe the system-level behavior of the battery equalization processes under these equalization structures. Then, based on the mathematical models, analytical methods are derived to evaluate the performance of the equalization processes. We also carry …


Overcoming Hard Problems In Software Testing With Testing As A Service, Brianna Floss May 2014

Overcoming Hard Problems In Software Testing With Testing As A Service, Brianna Floss

Theses and Dissertations

Software testing is a crucial phase of the software development lifecycle, responsible for assuring that the system under test meets quality standards, requirements, and consumer needs. Unfortunately, software testing is not without flaws. Some problems are timeless while others are brought on by new technologies and methodologies. As software systems grow in size and complexity, quality becomes significantly more difficult to ensure. With recent advancements in cloud computing, the internet’s vast and elastic resources are available for testing. Testing as a Service (TaaS) offers accessible services that handle testing activities to consumers on a pay-as-you-test basis in hopes of providing …


Exploring A Method To Quantitatively Measure Design Flexibility Early In The Defense Acquisition Life Cycle, Joseph S. Kim Mar 2014

Exploring A Method To Quantitatively Measure Design Flexibility Early In The Defense Acquisition Life Cycle, Joseph S. Kim

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to demonstrate a methodology using an Epoch-Era Analysis to quantify and estimate the value of design flexibility early in the Department of Defense's (DOD) acquisition life cycle. This method was implemented using a possible replacement to the Air Force's fighter-trainer aircraft as a baseline and a set of future requirements that would change the baseline. An existing Cost Estimating Relationship tool was utilized in conjunction with a decision tree modeling approach to accommodate uncertain future needs. Sensitivity analysis was performed to identify model parameters with dominant effects on the recommended design strategies. The results …


Improving The Enterprise Requirements And Acquisition Model's Development Test And Evaluation Process Fidelity, Jason W. Sutherlin Mar 2014

Improving The Enterprise Requirements And Acquisition Model's Development Test And Evaluation Process Fidelity, Jason W. Sutherlin

Theses and Dissertations

Shrinking budgets and dynamic military conflicts have driven Department of Defense (DoD) leadership to reform how the military acquires weapon systems with the goal of decreasing program schedules and costs, while maximizing performance. With fifty years of reform, the DoD has been unable to adequately control program schedule objectives. Previous research attempted to support acquisition reforms through modeling and simulation. The Enterprise Requirements and Acquisition Model (ERAM) captures a program's progression through the Defense Acquisition Management System to gain insight into significant delays that impact program schedule and probability of completion. A past unexpected result included the insignificant impact that …


Dispatch, Delivery, And Location Logistics For The Aeromedical Evacuation Of Time-Sensitive Military Casualties Under Uncertainty, Benjamin Grannan Jan 2014

Dispatch, Delivery, And Location Logistics For The Aeromedical Evacuation Of Time-Sensitive Military Casualties Under Uncertainty, Benjamin Grannan

Theses and Dissertations

Effective aeromedical evacuation of casualties is one of the most important problems in military medical systems because high-priority casualties will not survive without timely medical care. The decision making process for aeromedical evacuation consists of the following components: (1) identifying which aeromedical evacuation asset (see figure 1) to dispatch to the casualty, (2) locating aeromedical evacuation assets strategically in anticipation of incoming demand, and (3) deciding which medical treatment facility to transport the casualty. These decisions are further complicated because prioritization of casualties is based on severity of injury while aeromedical evacuation assets and medical treatment facilities operate with varying …