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Full-Text Articles in Management and Operations

Value Of Increased Use Of Scheduled Maintenance On Aircraft Availability And Maintenance Cost Of The C-5, William T. Webb Sep 1998

Value Of Increased Use Of Scheduled Maintenance On Aircraft Availability And Maintenance Cost Of The C-5, William T. Webb

Theses and Dissertations

The C-5 consistently performs below its established mission capable rate of 75 percent. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not mission capable rates and maintenance costs can be improved by increased use of scheduled maintenance. Nine C-5 components were studied. Availability and cost were compared when scheduled replacement occurred at ten, twenty, and thirty percent before their respective mean time between failure and actual failure times. Actual failure times were not available so they were generated using simulation. The trade-off of using preventive maintenance is the decreased cost of sending fewer maintenance repair teams and increased …


Effects Of Shiftwork On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Personnel, Craig A. Campbell Sep 1998

Effects Of Shiftwork On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Personnel, Craig A. Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of converting a large aircraft maintenance squadron from 8-hour shifts to 12-hour shifts. The squadron studied converted its 24- hour maintenance work force from three 8-hour work shifts to two 12-hour work shifts incrementally, with one section converting to 12-hour shifts in January, 1996, and the remaining section converting in July, 1996. Both sections remained on 12-hour shifts until September, 1997, when both sections converted back to a three shift 8-hour operation. Health and well being, on- and off-duty accident rates, day shift vs. night shift accident rates, and the effects of stress and fatigue …


The T-27 "Tucano" Engine Pipeline Of The Brazilian Air Force: A Managerial Approach, Jorge Barros Santos Jun 1998

The T-27 "Tucano" Engine Pipeline Of The Brazilian Air Force: A Managerial Approach, Jorge Barros Santos

Theses and Dissertations

The T-27 is a Brazilian-made aircraft, manufactured by "Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica - EMBRAER". The purpose of this study is to describe the processes that take place in the logistic pipeline of the T-27 Engine. With the objective of identifying any existent bottlenecks and suggests managerial approaches to improve the overall system performance.


An Airlift Hub-And-Spoke Location-Routing Model With Time Windows: Case Study Of The Conus-To-Korea Airlift Problem, David W. Cox Mar 1998

An Airlift Hub-And-Spoke Location-Routing Model With Time Windows: Case Study Of The Conus-To-Korea Airlift Problem, David W. Cox

Theses and Dissertations

Traditionally, the United States Air Force's Air Mobility Command (AMC) has used the concept of direct delivery to airlift cargo and passengers from a point of embarkation to a point of debarkation. This study develops an alternative hub-and-spoke combined location-routing integer linear programming prototype model, and uses this model to determine what advantages a hub-and-spoke system offers, and in which scenarios it is better-suited than the direct delivery method. Additionally, the analysis suggests that the C-17 may be better-suited, in certain airlift situations, for theater airlift versus strategic (direct delivery) airlift. The model features the following elements: time windows, cargo …


Optimum Preventive Maintenance Policies For The Amraam Missile, Scott J. Ruflin Feb 1998

Optimum Preventive Maintenance Policies For The Amraam Missile, Scott J. Ruflin

Theses and Dissertations

The overall objective of this research effort was to formulate a preventive maintenance strategy for AMRAAM missiles subject to extended captive carry flight time. A preventive maintenance policy is only applicable if the item in question is aging, or deteriorating with time. Therefore, a supporting objective of this research is to characterize the aging process of the missile system through a non-parametric analysis of its Mean Residual Life (MRL) function. Three non-parametric, censored-data MRL function estimation techniques discussed in the literature are examined via a numerical example. All three estimation techniques provide MRL functions that exhibit greatly exaggerated decreasing trends …


Economic Analysis For An F-22 Organic Vs. Contractor Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Ownership Decision, John A. Kitchens Sep 1997

Economic Analysis For An F-22 Organic Vs. Contractor Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Ownership Decision, John A. Kitchens

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) is a viable alternative to Combat Logistics Support Squadrons (CLSSs) for providing F-22 Aircraft Battle Damage Repair (ABDR). Legalities, practicalities, and cost-effectiveness were key ownership concerns. United States Code, Office of Management and Budget, Department of Defense (DoD), and United States Air Force (USAF) requirements were reviewed to address legal and policy issues and whether F-22 ABDR is military essential. The Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program (LOCCAP) award fee history was used to assess the potential performance of F-22 ABDR CLS personnel. F-117 ABDR team requirements and …


Comparison Of Effects Of Change From 8 To 12 Hour Shifts On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Workers, Daniel W. Overland Sep 1997

Comparison Of Effects Of Change From 8 To 12 Hour Shifts On Air Force Aircraft Maintenance Workers, Daniel W. Overland

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the effects of converting from an 8 hour shift system to a 12 hour system on aircraft maintenance personnel. The squadron had converted its 24 hour operations from an 8 hour shift schedule to a 12 hour shift schedule in stages, changing one group first and then another. A smaller third group of workers remained on 8 hour shifts. Individual differences in job related outcomes and situational constraints were measured for all three groups. Results showed that changing from 8 to 12 hour shifts affected worker well-being and morale, as indicated by an increase in hospital visits …


Estimating Kc-137 Aircraft Ownership Costs In The Brazilian Air Force, Ulisses O. Bonasser Jun 1997

Estimating Kc-137 Aircraft Ownership Costs In The Brazilian Air Force, Ulisses O. Bonasser

Theses and Dissertations

This research addresses the estimation of operation and support (O&S) costs of the Brazilian Air Force KC-137 aircraft. BAF lacks an established set of procedures for computing ownership costs of such aircraft, which prejudices the elaboration of cost-benefit analysis and allocation of budget resources. The purpose of the study is to develop an O&S cost breakdown structure and a set of cost estimating equations that will be used to estimate the ownership costs of the KC-137 aircraft during their expected service life.


Turkish Air Mobility Modeling, Huseyin Topcuoglu Mar 1997

Turkish Air Mobility Modeling, Huseyin Topcuoglu

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this research is to provide a tactical mobility model which is user friendly and flexible so the user is able to change the inputs, and evaluate the situation with the projected data for an operational plan. Thus, the users can analyze their system by using the model to see whether or not mobility requirements can be met within a definite time frame, and how long it takes to satisfy the requirements. Generalized Air Mobility Model (GAMM) was chosen to model TAMC's airlift system and has been found suitable for application to TUAF mobility problems. The software enables …


Determining The Economic Plausibility Of Dual Manifesting Reusable Launch Vehicles And Reusable Orbital Transfer Vehicles For The Replenishment Of Military Satellites, Crystal L. Evans Feb 1997

Determining The Economic Plausibility Of Dual Manifesting Reusable Launch Vehicles And Reusable Orbital Transfer Vehicles For The Replenishment Of Military Satellites, Crystal L. Evans

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, the Air Force launches military satellites on expendable launch vehicles to low earth orbit (LEO), and with the use of a chemical upper stage or an apogee kick motor, moves the satellite to a higher orbit. This launch procedure is extremely costly because it requires additional launch preparations, technology considerations, equipment, and fuel. Also, the additional mass of the chemical upper stage causes a larger, and thus more expensive, launch vehicle to be required. An economical alternative is to utilize reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) and reusable orbital launch vehicles (ROTVs). This concept could possibly achieve even greater savings if …


Analysis Of Aircraft Sortie Generation With Concurrent Maintenance And General Service Times, Daniel V. Hackman Feb 1997

Analysis Of Aircraft Sortie Generation With Concurrent Maintenance And General Service Times, Daniel V. Hackman

Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this study was to develop an analytical methodology for evaluating an aircraft sortie generation process. The process is modeled as a closed network of general service queues with a fork join node to model concurrent servicing. The model uses the Mean Value Analysis (MVA) algorithm and general queueing network analysis by decomposition to approximate network performance measures including resource utilization and the overall sortie generation rate. The results of the study show that the analytical approximation's accuracy decreases as server utilization increases. However, when server utilization is kept in realistic ranges, the approximation is very accurate. …


Identifying Situational Constraints To Focus Quality Improvement In An Air Force Aerial Port, Timothy J. Pettit Sep 1996

Identifying Situational Constraints To Focus Quality Improvement In An Air Force Aerial Port, Timothy J. Pettit

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzes the effects of situational constraints on individual performance within an Air Force Aerial Port squadron. Situational constraint research originated with laboratory studies by Peters and O'Connor in 1980 and was investigated in an Air Force field environment in 1984; mixed results were obtained. Laboratory studies identified direct performance inhibitors (Peters et al., 1980); however, field studies found little correlations with job performance (Kane, 1981; O'Connor et al., 1984a). Data collected in June 1995 (Dougherty, 1995) and March 1996, in this study, were used to accomplish a longitudinal analysis. Correlations between constraints and performance were also low in …


Integration Of The Distribution And Repair In Variable Environments (Drive) Model Into Micap Policy, Bradley E. Anderson Sep 1996

Integration Of The Distribution And Repair In Variable Environments (Drive) Model Into Micap Policy, Bradley E. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The United States Air Force has implemented the Distribution and Repair In Variable Environments (DRIVE) Model to a limited degree for a limited range of items, and policy makers seem unsure as to the proper level of DRIVE utilization. New asset release sequences and policies have been proposed without evidence to support those decisions. The purpose of this study is to explore different levels of DRIVE implementation relating to proposed asset release policies in order to provide some evidence on which policy could best support Air Force weapon systems. A second purpose of this study is to show how the …


Information Requirements Analysis: A Qualitative Characterization Of The Flightline Expediter For The Integrated Maintenance Information System, John C. Gorla Jr. Sep 1996

Information Requirements Analysis: A Qualitative Characterization Of The Flightline Expediter For The Integrated Maintenance Information System, John C. Gorla Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The Integrated Maintenance Information System (IMIS) concept design includes the addition of management tools to access IMIS databases and provide communication capabilities between flightline technicians and supervisors. Armstrong Laboratory has developed a portable maintenance aid for technicians, and sponsored this research to investigate the requirements for a computer based tool for the expediter, The basic hardware and software requirements document for IMIS, the System/Segment Specification (SSS), contains task information that closely corresponds to the expediter job description as defined in Air Combat Command Instruction 21-166. This research compiled a list of information requirements for the expediter from the IMIS SSS …


An Analysis Of Air Mobility Express Requirements Operating Within A Lean Logistics Wartime Environment, Jennifer A. Bollinger, Kellie L. Davila-Martinez Sep 1996

An Analysis Of Air Mobility Express Requirements Operating Within A Lean Logistics Wartime Environment, Jennifer A. Bollinger, Kellie L. Davila-Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

Lean Logistics was developed in response to budget cuts, force reductions, and a new political world order. The primary objective of Lean Logistics is to minimize the total system wide costs of the Air Force organization. Currently, the Air Force is seeking to cut costs by reducing inventories, improving repair processes, and employing faster transportation where possible. The purpose of this thesis is to determine if the Air Mobility Express (AMX) current sizing plan is capable of supporting the retrograde assets generated during the sustainment portion of a war. The Dyna-METRIC version 6.4 simulation program is employed to analyze the …


Airlift System Sensitivity To Perturbed Time-Phased Force Deployment Data, Glenn G. Rousseau Mar 1996

Airlift System Sensitivity To Perturbed Time-Phased Force Deployment Data, Glenn G. Rousseau

Theses and Dissertations

This research evaluated the effects of perturbations in time phased force deployment data (TPFDD) on airlift system performance. Four characteristics of two TPFDD files were perturbed according to a 2(4-1) fractional factorial experimental design and then fed into the Airlift Flow Module (AFM) simulation. Specifically, small, constrained perturbations were made to the specified locations, the timeline, the amounts of cargo and passengers, and the proportion of outsize and oversize cargo categories. The effects these perturbations had on AFM output were interpreted using factor analysis. The computed factor scores, when plotted against one another, provided sensitivity plots, graphically depicting the sensitivity …


A Study Of The Structural Limitation Affecting Implementation Of The Government Performance And Results Act In Air Force Materiel Command Logistics, Darwina M. Liguori Sep 1995

A Study Of The Structural Limitation Affecting Implementation Of The Government Performance And Results Act In Air Force Materiel Command Logistics, Darwina M. Liguori

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis provides an in-depth discussion of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993. The GPRA is a new law that mandates strategic management be conducted in all federal government agencies. Soon all federal government agencies will be directed to comply with the requirements of the law and implement strategic management within their organizations. This study selected Air Force Materiel Command Headquarters (AFMC) logistics organizations and subordinate units as the test organization. Interviews were conducted with headquarters AFMC logistics and strategic planning personnel, as well as 88th Logistics Group personnel to evaluate several issues within their organization: (1) …


Logistics Control Facility: A Normative Model For Total Asset Visibility In The Air Force Logistics System, Eric C. Lorraine, Michael E. Michno Sep 1994

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 …


Organic Maintenance Performance Measurement: A New Approach, John S. Nehr, William G. Queener Sep 1994

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 Requirements Analysis For An Integrated Maintenance Information System Application Into Theater Air Control System Maintenance, Morris C. Blumenthal Iii, Stephen W. Starks Sep 1994

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, …


An Analysis Of The Effect Of Personnel Drawdown Initiatives On Aircrew Experience, Keith L. Hedgepeth, Lennie J. Simpson Sep 1994

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 …


Quality Improvement Analysis Of The Air Force Aircraft Maintenance And Munitions Officers Course, Jeffrey T. Acred, James R. Witter Sep 1994

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 …


Developing A Template For Logistics Test And Evaluation, Timothy J. Fennell, Jason S. Mogle Sep 1994

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 …


A Mean Value Analysis Heuristic For Analysis Of Aircraft Sortie Generation, Richard C. Jenkins Mar 1994

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 …


Demonstration Of Improved Software Support Labor Estimation For Air Force Operational Flight Programs Through Functional Orientation, Ronald R. Warner Jr., Darrel L. Wright Dec 1993

Demonstration Of Improved Software Support Labor Estimation For Air Force Operational Flight Programs Through Functional Orientation, Ronald R. Warner Jr., Darrel L. Wright

Theses and Dissertations

This study demonstrated two approaches to improve current software support effort estimation models for aircraft software. Both approaches involved a functional orientation not used by existing models. The first approach demonstrated how to orient a model to reflect the block change cycle modification process and how to represent support effort changes over time in order to improve effort estimation accuracy. Current software models do not reflect the support environment or the temporal characteristics of aircraft software support. The second approach demonstrated how to calibrate a model by properly selecting source data in order to increase accuracy. Support calibration is not …


An Evaluation Of Aircraft Maintenance Performance Factors In The Objective Wing, Mark A. Gray, Margaret M. Ranalli Sep 1993

An Evaluation Of Aircraft Maintenance Performance Factors In The Objective Wing, Mark A. Gray, Margaret M. Ranalli

Theses and Dissertations

Prior to 1992, organizational maintenance was aligned under a - separate maintenance organization. In 1992, the Air Force restructured into Objective Wings with organizational maintenance aligned under the flying squadrons. This study looks at the impact of this reorganization on maintenance performance factors. The researchers developed maintenance performance models using regression and principal component analysis. Mission Capable Rate and Total Not Mission Capable Maintenance Rate are used as dependent variables. A comparison of key maintenance performance indicators and model predictions before and after the reorganization is accomplished. Based on the results of this analysis, the researchers conclude that there is …


Scheduling Air Mobility Command's Channel Cargo Missions, Gregory S. Rau Mar 1993

Scheduling Air Mobility Command's Channel Cargo Missions, Gregory S. Rau

Theses and Dissertations

Through the use of a linear programming model, this research revised the initial schedule for AMC's channel cargo missions to eliminate any excess delay enroute by minimizing the cumulative, weighted time-in-system for all cargo, according to a given cargo flow. In fact, the revised schedule minimizes any assigned nonnegative weighting of the time-in-system, due to the properties of equivalent measures of performance. When combined with Step One of a proposed two-step process for revising AMC's channel mission schedule, this research can be used to improve the current schedule based on Step One's cargo flow. By carefully defining the notation and …


The Use Of Simulation To Evaluate Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation Policy And Planning, Charles W. Wolfe Jr. Mar 1993

The Use Of Simulation To Evaluate Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation Policy And Planning, Charles W. Wolfe Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Strategic aeromedical evacuation (AE) of casualties from the theater of operations to the CONUS during wartime is a complex operation that involves the integration of medical personnel and policies with airlift concepts and capabilities. Military analysts within the Air Mobility Command Analysis Group (AMC/XPY) have traditionally used deterministic linear programming techniques to estimate the number of aircraft the United States Air Force (USAF) requires for given contingency scenarios. However, this group has yet to develop a stochastic approach to validate their resource recommendations, and more importantly, to study the interrelationships between key factors comprising strategic aeromedical evacuation. As the possibility …


Patient Scheduling And Aircraft Routing For Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation, Michael J. Loftus Mar 1993

Patient Scheduling And Aircraft Routing For Strategic Aeromedical Evacuation, Michael J. Loftus

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study is to develop an approach that would assign patients to aeromedical evacuation aircraft and route each aircraft to a single CONUS airport. The goal is to minimize total patient wait time. A heuristic algorithm is developed which exploits the structure of the problem. The first subproblem solved is the assignment of aircraft to airports. This subproblem is solved using integer programming and the results are input into the second subproblem. The second subproblem is the patient to aircraft assignment problem. This subproblem minimizes patient wait time and is solved using network flow programming. The two …


Models For The Optimization Of Air Refueling Missions, Clayton H. Pflieger Mar 1993

Models For The Optimization Of Air Refueling Missions, Clayton H. Pflieger

Theses and Dissertations

This research follows A. Yamani's work on the problem of minimizing total fuel costs for airlift missions that require in-flight refueling. Yamani's major assumptions were removed and the resulting enhanced formulation was applied the the original problem and the related problem of maximizing allowable cabin load. This optimization is accomplished selecting the rendezvous point and initial fuel for each aircraft. The formulation considers a C-141B airlifter refueled once by a KC-135E tanker. Flight is assumed to be at constant altitude and follow great-circle routes. The fuel costs of climb and cruise flight are modeled as functions of gross weight, while …