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Theses and Dissertations

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Articles 361 - 390 of 412

Full-Text Articles in Aviation

Rendering The Out-The-Window View For The Afit Virtual Cockpit, W. Dean Mccarty Mar 1993

Rendering The Out-The-Window View For The Afit Virtual Cockpit, W. Dean Mccarty

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is developing a distributed interactive flight simulator, the Virtual Cockpit, using commercial graphics workstations and helmet mounted displays. The Virtual Cockpit communicates with other simulators via local and long-haul networks using the SIMNET protocol. The work reported in this thesis focuses on developing the terrain database for the synthetic environment and on rendering the pilot's view of the database. There are many different file formats for describing 3- dimensional geometric polygonal objects. An analysis of three formats, AFIT GEOM, the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) DRP, and Software Systems' Flight, is presented. Each file …

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Weapon System Integration For The Afit Virtual Cockpit, William E. Gerhard Jr. Jan 1993

Weapon System Integration For The Afit Virtual Cockpit, William E. Gerhard Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology is continuing research in the Virtual Cockpit. The Virtual Cockpit makes use of high performance graphics workstations, Virtual Environment technology, and Distributed Interactive Simulation network protocols to create a flight simulator based on the capabilities of the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle. The work presented in this thesis focuses on the design and implementation issues for integrating a weapons delivery capability. Weapons simulated include: RADAR and IR guided air- to-air missiles, gravity and precision guided bombs, and a 20mm cannon. Virtual Environment displays used include: color NTSC and monochrome high resolution helmet mounted displays …

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Satcom General Purpose Modem Dscs Iii Sct Beacon Telemetry Display, James D. Coppola Dec 1992

Satcom General Purpose Modem Dscs Iii Sct Beacon Telemetry Display, James D. Coppola

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis documents the design and implementation of a DSCS III single Channel Transponder (SCT) beacon telemetry display. The system is a personal computer based design which interfaces to three SCT beacon receiver/demodulators. The software was designed to decode and display both the DSCS III A and DSCS HI B satellite beacons. Recordings of the SCT beacon display can be made on paper and/or magnetic media when triggered by the user, a watchdog timer, or the SCT command accept telemetry bit. In addition, the system can be configured with an IRIG B Universal Time Coordinates (UTC) card which enables the …

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A Synthetic Environment Flight Simulator: The Afit Virtual Cockpit, John C. Switzer Dec 1992

A Synthetic Environment Flight Simulator: The Afit Virtual Cockpit, John C. Switzer

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes the design and implementation of a part of the Virtual Cockpit: a synthetic environment, distributed network flight simulator. The goal of the project was to prove the concept that this type of flight simulator could fill the gap between high-end, very expensive flight simulators and low-end game quality flight simulators. Discussed are: object-oriented design techniques, multi-processor utilization, the flight dynamics model, synthetic environment technology, the frame-rate vs. realism issue, and the interfaces to a realistic joystick and throttle.

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Automated Control Of Aircraft In Formation Flight, Louis E. Buzogany Dec 1992

Automated Control Of Aircraft In Formation Flight, Louis E. Buzogany

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, an automated formation control system for an aircraft formation comprised of one lead and multiple wing aircraft is analyzed. Second- order models of the C-130 aircraft are developed in order to accurately model the flying qualities of large aircraft. This automated formation control system is capable of controlling the C-130 aircraft in maneuvering formation flight, thus reducing the wing's pilot workload. During formation flight, the wing aircraft continuously measures the lead aircraft's relative position with an ideal on-board position sensor. This information, in addition to Proportional Plus Integral feedback control, is used to maintain the aircraft in …

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The Development Of An Expert System For Hazardous Cargo Compatibility, Douglas A. Furst, Ronald E. Smith Sep 1992

The Development Of An Expert System For Hazardous Cargo Compatibility, Douglas A. Furst, Ronald E. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This research demonstrates the application of expert system technology to automate the aircraft load selection process performed when transporting hazardous cargo. The resulting computer program is an expert system named HAZARD. This system incorporates the regulations governing hazardous cargo compatibility with the heuristics used by experts in loadplanning operations. The impetus to develop such a system is the January 1993 conversion of regulation guidelines for hazardous cargo classification and management in Air Force Regulation 71-4, to a universal international standard. The Cargo Operations Division of Headquarters Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB, was concerned that this change in procedures and …

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Comparative Evaluation Of A Monocular Head Mounted Display Device Versus A Flat Screen Display Device In Presenting Aircraft Maintenance Technical Data, Jeffrey A. Friend, Randy S. Grinstead Sep 1992

Comparative Evaluation Of A Monocular Head Mounted Display Device Versus A Flat Screen Display Device In Presenting Aircraft Maintenance Technical Data, Jeffrey A. Friend, Randy S. Grinstead

Theses and Dissertations

As military developers provide increasingly complex weapon system, it becomes more difficult for maintenance technicians to perform their jobs. One aspect of the technicians' world is the need to access technical information in the performance of their duties. This study investigated two electronic display systems to evaluate which enhanced technician performance more. A Head Mounted Display (HMD) device and a portable hand-held flat-screen computer were evaluated in the performance of two flightline maintenance activities. Although both display systems were fully portable and self contained, only the HMD system allowed continuous access to technical information during task performance. In most cases, …

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An Investigation Of The Influence Of Advanced Aircraft Diagnostics On The Technological Sophistication Of Maintenance Personnel, Chris R. Collins, Clete W. Knaub Sep 1992

An Investigation Of The Influence Of Advanced Aircraft Diagnostics On The Technological Sophistication Of Maintenance Personnel, Chris R. Collins, Clete W. Knaub

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine what effect automated diagnostic systems will have on the maintenance worker's technological capabilities. Four investigative questions guided the project: 1. What effect has automation of skilled jobs had on workers in the civilian community?; 2. What technological and psychological traits have led to success in past military conflicts?; 3. What types of technological and psychological traits will technicians have who are heavily dependent on diagnostic systems? (For example, to what degree will maintenance technicians be able to improvise when deployed to a combat area?); and, 4. What lessons can Air Force maintenance …

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Demonstrating The Effects Of Shop Flow Process Variability On The Air Force Depot Level Reparable Item Pipeline, Marvin A. Arostegui Jr., Jon A. Larvick Sep 1992

Demonstrating The Effects Of Shop Flow Process Variability On The Air Force Depot Level Reparable Item Pipeline, Marvin A. Arostegui Jr., Jon A. Larvick

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of reducing the mean processing time and variability in the Shop Flow Segment of the Depot Level Reparable Item pipeline. The measure of interest was the average number of units in the pipeline of a particular type of item (referred to as the average pipeline contents). A literature review revealed that process variability in the pipeline has an impact on its effective operation and cost. A simulation model was developed to determine if reducing mean processing time and/or variability in the Shop Flow Segment would result in a reduction in the average pipeline contents. The …

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A Model-Based Methodology For Evaluating The Unit-Level Air Combat Mission Planning (Acmp) Process, Thomas L. Gaylord, George L. Sowell Sep 1992

A Model-Based Methodology For Evaluating The Unit-Level Air Combat Mission Planning (Acmp) Process, Thomas L. Gaylord, George L. Sowell

Theses and Dissertations

This study modeled the USAF unit-level Air Combat Mission Planning (ACMP) process and developed a methodology for evaluating the effectiveness of changes to the process. The study also reports relevant mission planning lessons learned from Desert Storm and demonstrates application of the developed evaluation methodology. An exploratory multidisciplinary literature review builds a research foundation for the evaluation methodology. Foundation areas reviewed include unit-level operations, command and control, planning, decision theory, decision aiding, and model-based problem solving. The conceptual model of the planning process defines sixteen functions starting from receipt of tasking and concluding with execution departure. For each of the …

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Desert Express: Framework For Institutionalization Of Express Airlift Procedures, Terry D. Basham, Jason G. Evgenides Sep 1992

Desert Express: Framework For Institutionalization Of Express Airlift Procedures, Terry D. Basham, Jason G. Evgenides

Theses and Dissertations

This study was sponsored by the Military Airlift Command to examine the Desert Express airlift channel used during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The goal was to determine what changes or improvements should be made prior to formalizing Desert Express procedures into Department of Defense doctrine. The research method used was a Literature Review supported by an application of the Delphi Technique. The Literature Review reviewed past military express operations and current regulatory procedures to raise key issues. These issues were then presented to 19 airlift experts in two-separate rounds of written questionnaires. The research revealed that Desert Express was the …

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Comparison Of Four-Cursor Buttons Vs Joystick To Access Computerized Technical Information From An Integrated Maintenance Information System, Gerald E. Streff, Robert H. Gundel Sep 1992

Comparison Of Four-Cursor Buttons Vs Joystick To Access Computerized Technical Information From An Integrated Maintenance Information System, Gerald E. Streff, Robert H. Gundel

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the use of four-cursor buttons versus a joystick device to present technical order information on a portable maintenance aid computer for aircraft technicians in a maintenance environment. Studies to date have verified the superiority of computer-presented technical orders when compared to current paper-based systems; this research investigated the effectiveness of these computer-based systems when technicians used a joystick or four-cursor button to display desired technical information. A comparison was made as to technician performance using a portable maintenance aid at the 4950th Test Wing, WPAFB OH. A total of thirty-two maintenance technicians …

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Estimating The Operating And Support Cost Difference Between Royal Australian Air Force C-130e And C-130h Hercules Aircraft, Terrence J. Sidey Sep 1992

Estimating The Operating And Support Cost Difference Between Royal Australian Air Force C-130e And C-130h Hercules Aircraft, Terrence J. Sidey

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the operating and support cost (O & S cost) of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130E and C-130H aircraft. The purpose was twofold: to provide information about the relative O & S cost of the RAAF's old and "new" C-130 aircraft; and to increase knowledge and understanding of aircraft O & S costing within the RAAF. Preliminary research indicated that RAAF O & S costing was rudimentary and that suitable O & S data would be difficult to obtain. Accordingly, an analogous O & S cost system -- the U.S. Air Force (USAF) SABLE cost model and …

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The Development Of A Performance Measurement Concept For The Royal Australian Air Force, David R. Mcdonald Sep 1992

The Development Of A Performance Measurement Concept For The Royal Australian Air Force, David R. Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

he Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) needed to develop performance measurements (PMs) to support its Program Management and Budgeting (PMB) System. This research assessed the use of the concepts of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) to develop those PMs. The literature indicated that: traditional accounting PMs were not always suitable in an environment of continuous improvement; Activity Based Costing did not provide the required measures; and non-financial PMs were supplanting the older measures. Further, governments faced unique problems in developing PMs, particularly in defining the outcomes to be measured. Using the Critical Theory and Action Research methodologies, and a case …

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Analysis Of Standard Type Unit Development, Jeffrey M. Hess, Merry D. Wermund Sep 1992

Analysis Of Standard Type Unit Development, Jeffrey M. Hess, Merry D. Wermund

Theses and Dissertations

This research study examined the standard type unit development process for the Air Force. Current standard type unit development procedures were determined by a literature review. The literature review, with the interviews, provided information regarding the history of, purpose for, and possible alternatives for developing standard type units. A Delphi questionnaire was developed to determine how well the current process works, how standard type units worked for Desert Shield/Storm, and possible ways to improve the development process. This questionnaire was distributed to F-15 units, F-16 units, and major command personnel in Tactical Air Command (now Air Combat Command). All three …

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Change In Self-Efficacy As A Measure Of Training Effectiveness At Squadron Officer School, Edward J. Berghorn, Michael Lewis Sep 1992

Change In Self-Efficacy As A Measure Of Training Effectiveness At Squadron Officer School, Edward J. Berghorn, Michael Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of the US air Force Squadron Officer School (SOS) training curriculum by measuring students' self-efficacy before and after training. The authors verified through the literature that an individual's personal assessment of his self-efficacy was associated with task understanding and performance. Then self-efficacy questions were generated (for each of the four SOS curriculum areas) for an individual to assess his ability to perform a behavior related to a particular SOS learning objective. Demographic questions were also developed and combined with the self- efficacy questions to form pretest (before SOS training) and …

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A Comparison Of Aircraft Maintenance Organizational Structures, Wesley C. Davis, Sanford Walker Sep 1992

A Comparison Of Aircraft Maintenance Organizational Structures, Wesley C. Davis, Sanford Walker

Theses and Dissertations

This study compares the aircraft maintenance structure being implemented by General Merrill A. McPeak with that of the previous structure typified by TACR 66-5. Historical aircraft data is used to compare organizational structures. Data from the USAF and USN is used to build regression models to determine if organizational structure contributes to combat capability. Statistical tests are used to determine if a significant difference exists between the two organizational structures. Regression analysis and comparison of the results lead the researchers to conclude that a significant difference exists in the performance measures of COMO and Objective Wing organizations. While many reasons …

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A Study Of Configuration Management At Headquarters Logistics Command (Royal Australian Air Force), John F. Turner Sep 1992

A Study Of Configuration Management At Headquarters Logistics Command (Royal Australian Air Force), John F. Turner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to provide insight into configuration management at the Royal Australian Air Force's Headquarters Logistics Command (HQLC) by determining whether current configuration management practices have any impact on HQLC's ability to meet its mission of providing logistics support. The research begins with a review of RAAF configuration management policy and procedures as applicable to in-service systems or technical equipment. A case study is used to investigate problems associated with inadequate configuration management being experienced by one HQLC engineering section, and to identify subsequent effects on engineering logistics capability. The case study results are used to …

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An Analysis Of Escort Formations, Mustafa Ilhan Mar 1992

An Analysis Of Escort Formations, Mustafa Ilhan

Theses and Dissertations

This study used computer simulation to investigate escort fighter formations unknown interceptor threat environment. A USAF computer simulation model, TAC, was used to simulate air combat between the escorts and the interceptors in several different combat scenarios. The escort formations were defined by the vertical and horizontal distances of the escort fighters from the main strike body. Interceptors were characterized as one of two types of fighters with dissimilar aircraft frames and missile firing ranges. A central composite design was used to mathematically model the effect of escort formations and interceptor type on the survivability of the bombers and escorts. …

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An Outline For A Manufacturing Planning And Control System For A Repair/ Overhaul/Rebuilding Environment, Peter H. Miyares Mar 1992

An Outline For A Manufacturing Planning And Control System For A Repair/ Overhaul/Rebuilding Environment, Peter H. Miyares

Theses and Dissertations

This study outlines a structure for a manufacturing planning and control (MPC) system for a repair/overhaul/rebuilding environment. Included an examination of the organizational components that must be incorporated into the system and the planning functions for which the system can be used. The study compares and contrasts the differences between an MPC system for a maintenance organization and a manufacturing organization and concludes that the MPC system for a maintenance organization must account for the greater degree of variability that occurs within the process. The proposed system is composed of an information system which collects data from throughout an organization …

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Multilayer Perceptrons For Classification, Lisa M. Belue Mar 1992

Multilayer Perceptrons For Classification, Lisa M. Belue

Theses and Dissertations

Techniques for training, testing, and validating multilayer perceptrons are thoroughly examined. Results obtained using perceptrons are compared and contrasted with two multivariate discriminant analysis techniques- logistic regression and k neighbor. Methods for determining significant input features are investigated and a procedure for examining the confidence to place in the significance of these features is developed. Procedures to evaluate the applicability of high-order feature inputs are examined. These methods and procedures are applied to two very different applications. The first application concerns the prediction of Air Force pilot retention/separation rates for input to force projection models. The second application concerns the …

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A Computer Based Educational Aid For The Instruction Of Combat Modeling, Richard S. Moore Feb 1992

A Computer Based Educational Aid For The Instruction Of Combat Modeling, Richard S. Moore

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology is one of few institutions that teaches combat modeling. Combat models are typically dynamic computer simulations of specialized dynamic processes. Great difficulty exists in portraying these dynamic and recurrent processes with conventional static diagrams. This thesis produced a computer-based instructional aid which presents animated examples of processes common to combat models, demonstrates a simple few-on-few aerial combat model, and encourages student exploration and interaction with these presentations. This aid provides dynamic examples of random number generation, detection processes, target selection, and target destruction. A complete combat model demonstrating a few-on-few air duel is animated …

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Structured Hypermedia Application Development Model (Shadm): A Structured Model For Technical Documentation Application Design, Peter W. Cassell Dec 1991

Structured Hypermedia Application Development Model (Shadm): A Structured Model For Technical Documentation Application Design, Peter W. Cassell

Theses and Dissertations

This research was conducted to determine how a Royal Australian Air Force technical maintenance publication could be transformed into a task oriented hypermedia application and to develop a model that could be used for future similar transformations. The model was developed following in-depth analysis of the existing USAF F-15E maintenance publication set and validation was conducted using a prototype developed in HyperWriter, a commercial hypermedia product. The prototype model was based around the performance of three maintenance tasks on an aircraft sub-subsystem and incorporated online user access to the necessary support data for task completion. Publication managers, producers, and users …

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Ground Collision Avoidance Using A Variable Incidence Altitude Measurement System For The A-7 Aircraft, Thomas A. Hartung Dec 1991

Ground Collision Avoidance Using A Variable Incidence Altitude Measurement System For The A-7 Aircraft, Thomas A. Hartung

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the use of a forward looking sensor in the implementation of an automatic terrain following system. The effect of the incidence angle is studied as well as methodologies to include dynamic motion in the pointing of the sensor beam. The methods examined include fixed angle with respect to the aircraft, dynamics driven by a simple gain, and dynamics directed to gather the terrain information a fixed time interval ahead of the aircraft. Incidence angles of 25, 50, 75, and 90 are examined. The terrain obstacles include a single parabolic hill, a step change is terrain, and a …

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An Analysis Of The Information Requirements Of Conus Based Deputy Commanders For Maintenance, Daniel J. Green Dec 1991

An Analysis Of The Information Requirements Of Conus Based Deputy Commanders For Maintenance, Daniel J. Green

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify the information requirements of Air Force Deputy Commanders for Maintenance. It had three basic objectives: (1) identify the critical success factors that they monitor on a continuous basis, (2) identify similarities in those requirements for all DGMs and across major commands, and (3) determine if the application of information technology would enhance their decision making. Surveys were sent to all CONUS based Deputy Commanders for Maintenance. The study found that there were nine critical success factors that were used by a majority of all respondents. In addition, nine command-specific critical success factors …

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An Investigation Of Project Management Techniques For Scheduling Raaf Depot Level Maintenance, Kerry M. Bayley Sep 1991

An Investigation Of Project Management Techniques For Scheduling Raaf Depot Level Maintenance, Kerry M. Bayley

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates scheduling performances of commercial project management software. It is based on difficulties that the Royal Australian Air Force experienced in evaluating microcomputer-based packages in maintenance task scheduling of aircraft undergoing Depot Level Maintenance. A literature review found only one paper quantifying commercial software performances. No standard performance metrics or test data were found. Several packages were evaluated using a common set of 110 single-project resource- constrained networks. The performance measure used was closeness to optimally minimum Total Durations. No package performed best on all problems. On average, the best produced schedules 5.2% longer than optimal, with 95 …

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An Analysis Of Fixed Wing Tactical Airlifter Characteristics Using An Intra-Theater Airlift Computer Model, Paul Pappas Sep 1991

An Analysis Of Fixed Wing Tactical Airlifter Characteristics Using An Intra-Theater Airlift Computer Model, Paul Pappas

Theses and Dissertations

This study used computer simulation to identify which tactical airlifter characteristics most significantly affected tactical airlift capability in a given scenario. The Generalized Air Mobility model was used to simulate a tactical airlift system. Aircraft characteristics within the model were grouped into six variables. A 2(6) two level full factorial experimental design was used to assess the effect of changes in aircraft characteristics on the effectiveness of the tactical airlift system. Yates algorithm was used to identify significant terms based upon the results of the factorial experiment. These significant terms were used to develop a parsimonious regression model that represented …

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A Model For Estimating Aircraft Recoverable Spares Annual Costs, Phillip L. Redding Sep 1991

A Model For Estimating Aircraft Recoverable Spares Annual Costs, Phillip L. Redding

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis covers three objectives: (1) develop a background reference document concerning recoverable spares cost estimating; (2) evaluate a representative sample of existing spares cost models; and (3) use aircraft physical and performance characteristics to develop a model for estimating annual replenishment spares cost. A condemnations cost estimating relationship (CER) was developed first and then both a CER and spreadsheet generated factors which related condemnations to replenishment spares costs were developed. For the condemnations CER, only logarithmic transformations provided statistically acceptable results, and even these models exhibited wide prediction intervals due to large amount of variability in the CER databases …

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An Evaluation Of Logistics Support For F-16 Aircraft Owned By Foreign Countries, Paul J. Lyons Sep 1991

An Evaluation Of Logistics Support For F-16 Aircraft Owned By Foreign Countries, Paul J. Lyons

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to examine the logistics support provided by the United States Air Force (USAF) for F-16 aircraft owned by foreign countries. The research drew from historical trends and personal experiences to examine the ability of the U.S. to provide logistics support for F-16 aircraft owned by U.S. allies. The study found that timely, efficient support of FMS customers possessing F-16 aircraft does not appear to be a principal concern of the USAF logistics system. Complexity of processes, untimely responses, and failure to consider customer needs are common failings on the part of the USAF.

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Study On In-Theater Maintenance Support For Poaf F-16, Rui J. Gomes Sep 1991

Study On In-Theater Maintenance Support For Poaf F-16, Rui J. Gomes

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the capacity to generate a desired level of sorties of the F-16 weapon system. This capacity depends on the maintenance concept and structure, that defines a specific level of in-theater resources available. The theater is intended to reflect Portuguese Air Force logistic operations planned for the F-16, with one operational base and a possible Centralized Intermediate Repair Facility (CIRF), not co-located. The TSAR simulation program and one USAF database was used to perform the evaluation were defined and compared. The study focused on the unscheduled maintenance tasks and repairable items, in particular …

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