A hybrid analytical/simulation modeling approach for planning mass tactical airborne operations

A hybrid analytical/simulation model is developed to plan for mass tactical airborne operations. This automated tool enables the user to properly load aircraft according to the mission and user specifications, so that the minimum amount of time is required to seize all assigned objectives. The first portion is a mathematical model that once solved provides the optimal manifest under “perfect conditions”. This analytical model is represented by a transportation network, and optimized using a transportation algorithm. The results of this solution are input to an integrated simulation model that introduces the inherent variability. The simulation returns the expected, best, and worst arrival times, and the build up of power over time. This hybrid approach allows a very large problem to be solved efficiently with a great deal of time savings