A cost-benefit analysis of military aircraft replacement policies

This paper describes a method of solving aircraft service life problems. The particular application concerns aircraft in the Naval Advanced Jet Training Command. The method of solution is comparative present value analysis of alternative replacement policies. The likely risks of estimation errors are reflected in the comparisons of present values. Differences are noted in the benefits associated with each policy, but external to Naval Aviation. Since the values of these benefits can be determined only at a higher level of decision-making, the result of the study is not a conclusive selection among policies, but a schedule of present values on the basis of which, together with values of the external benefits, a decision can be reached. This paper discusses replacement policies for aircraft used in the Naval Advanced Jet Pilot Training mission. Taking engineering technology and the training syllabus as given, four feasible plans for introducing replacement aircraft into service are evaluated in terms of the present values of differential costs associated with the plans and in terms of the likely errors in cost estimates used in calculation of the present values. The trade-off between present value of costs and planning flexibility is emphasized in choosing a recommended time pattern of aircraft replacement. The specific aircraft mixes considered are the TF–9J/TAF–9J and the TA–4F/A–4B. The first is the currently employed mix; the second is the proposed replacement. The problem is to select an optimal time-pattern of replacement of F–9's by A–4's, given technological differences favoring the A–4 and increasing costs of maintaining squadrons of F–9's. Replacements by aircraft types other than the A–4 are considered impractical. Four feasible plans for introducing A–4's through a 5-year period are evaluated in terms of current best estimates of the related costs of the plans and in terms of the flexibility of modifying each plan given future better information concerning the relevant costs. The method of analysis is comparative present value of expected costs.     

Dynamic programming approach to the optimization of Naval aircraft rework and replacement policies

This paper describes a method for determining optimal repair and replacement policies for aireraft, with specific reference to the F–4. The objective of the analysis is to choose the set of policies from all possible alternatives over a finite planning horizon which minimizes the cost of operations. A dynamic program is presented which seeks an optimal path through a series of decision periods, when each period begins with the choice of keeping an aircraft, reworking it before further operation, or buying a new one. We do not consider changes in technology. Therefore, when a replacement does occur, it is made with a similar aircraft. Multivariate statistical techniques are used to estimate the relevant costs as a function of age, and time since last rework.     

How old is too old? An economic approach to replacing military aircraft

The US Air Force is asking when to replace its aging aircraft. We develop a framework to identify economically optimal replacement strategies that recognizes cost trade-offs and incorporates age effects. We also preview a stochastic methodology. We use the framework to identify an optimal strategy, defined by the replacement age, for a generic fleet and conduct a sensitivity analysis. Quantitative illustrations show that the range of strategies that provides close-to-optimal outcomes widens as the operating and support (O&S) cost growth rate decreases and the ratio of the acquisition price to the initial O&S cost increases. A wider range implies more decision-making leeway.     

Heuristics for multicomponent joint replacement: Applications to aircraft engine maintenance

This paper considers the maintenance of aircraft engine components where economies exist for joint replacement because (a) the aircraft must be pulled from service for maintenance and (b) repair of some components requires removal and disassembly of the engine. It is well known that the joint replacement problem is difficult to solve exactly, because the optimal solution does not have a simple structured form. Therefore, we formulate three easy-to-implement heuristics and test their performance against a lower bound for various numerical examples. One of our heuristics, the base interval approach, in which replacement cycles for all components are restricted to be multiples of a specified interval, is shown to be robustly accurate. Moreover, this heuristic is consistent with maintenance policies used by commercial airlines in which periodic maintenance checks are made at regular intervals. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 45: 435–458, 1998     

Optimal replacement rules based on different information levels

We consider the following replacement model in reliability theory. A technical system with random lifetime is replaced upon failure. Preventive replacements can be carried out before failure. The time for such a replacement depends on the observation of a random state parameter and is therefore in general a random time. Different costs for preventive and failure replacements are introduced which may depend on the age of the working system. The optimization criterion followed here to find an optimal replacement time is to minimize the total expected discounted costs. The optimal replacement policy depends on the observation of the state of the system. Results of the theory of stochastic processes are used to obtain the optimal strategy for different information levels. Several examples based on a two-component parallel system with possibly dependent component lifetimes show how the optimal replacement policy depends on the different information levels and on the degree of dependence of the components. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

基于LMI的不确定性无尾飞行器鲁棒变增益控制器设计

无尾式飞行器是飞行器发展的方向,研究无尾式控制具有重要意义.研究了线性变参数系统的增益调度控制器的设计方法,采用多胞形进行增益调度,提出了一种简单实用的变参数顶点凸分解方法,该方法在保证系统稳定的情况下,确保系统达到最优性能指标.同时还充分考虑了系统的不确定性因素,利用线性矩阵不等式(LMI)对系统进行鲁棒控制器设计,大大减少了计算量以及对系统的约束,设计出了基于LMI的增益调度控制器,通过非线性仿真结果可以看出,该控制器在调节变量变化很大的情况下,使得系统在0.5s内收敛,而且超调量很小,论证了该方法在无尾式飞控系统中应用的可行性.     

进攻作战预警机与干扰机协同空域配置

针对进攻作战中预警机与己方干扰机协同空域配置问题,以预警机与干扰机在确保各自安全和有效遂行空中目标感知、远距离支援干扰作战任务为前提,构建基于两者存在电磁互扰时的预警机空域配置决策模型、干扰机空域配置决策模型、目标角度估算模型和协同空域配置优化决策模型,并提出一种协同效能评估模型,结合算法流程,针对进攻角、干扰机垂直方向因数,对预警机与干扰机协同空域配置的位置关系进行仿真分析,得出预警机和干扰机在协同作战时最优的空域配置,具有一定的实践指导意义。     

Aircraft routing under the risk of detection

The deterministic problem for finding an aircraft's optimal risk trajectory in a threat environment has been formulated. The threat is associated with the risk of aircraft detection by radars or similar sensors. The model considers an aircraft's trajectory in three‐dimensional (3‐D) space and represents the aircraft by a symmetrical ellipsoid with the axis of symmetry directing the trajectory. Analytical and discrete optimization approaches for routing an aircraft with variable radar cross‐section (RCS) subject to a constraint on the trajectory length have been developed. Through techniques of Calculus of Variations, the analytical approach reduces the original risk optimization problem to a vectorial nonlinear differential equation. In the case of a single detecting installation, a solution to this equation is expressed by a quadrature. A network optimization approach reduces the original problem to the Constrained Shortest Path Problem (CSPP) for a 3‐D network. The CSPP has been solved for various ellipsoid shapes and different length constraints in cases with several radars. The impact of ellipsoid shape on the geometry of an optimal trajectory as well as the impact of variable RCS on the performance of a network optimization algorithm have been analyzed and illustrated by several numerical examples. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2006     

Replacement models under additive damage

A production system which generates income is subject to random failure. Upon failure, the system is replaced by a new identical one and the replacement cycles are repeated indefinitely. In our breakdown model, shocks occur to the system in a Poisson stream. Each shock causes a random amount of damage, and these damages accumulate additively. The failure time depends on the accumulated damage in the system. The income from the system and the cost associated with a planned replacement depend on the accumulated damage in the system. An additional cost is incurred at each failure in service. We allow a controller to replace the system at any stopping time T before failure time. We will consider the problem of specifying a replacement rule that is optimal under the following criteria: maximum total long-run average net income per unit time, and maximum total long-run expected discounted net income. Our primary goal is to introduce conditions under which an optimal policy is a control limit policy and to investigate how the optimal policy can be obtained. Examples will be presented to illustrate computational procedures.     

威胁环境生存突防优化策略分析

讨论了影响飞机作战生存性的主要因素,建立了生存概率模型。根据生存概率模型确立了威胁环境生存突防优化策略。最后,为了简化计算推导了实用危险性模型     

基于RCS的三维低可探测性轨迹优化方法

针对基于雷达散射截面(RCS)规避雷达威胁的飞行轨迹优化问题,提出了低可探测性三维轨迹优化的求解方法.通过B样条拟合构建连续可微的RCS数据模型,结合三维飞行动力学模型,建立规避雷达威胁下的飞行运动控制模型.将轨迹优化问题描述成为最优控制问题,其中飞行姿态控制、轨迹约束、边界条件作为约束条件,以降低雷达探测概率和减少飞行时间为目标函数.运用高斯伪谱法( GPM)将连续的最优控制问题转换为离散的非线性规划问题进行求解.仿真结果证明本文方法实现了求解单基地雷达和双基地雷达探测环境中低可探测性三维轨迹优化问题,有效降低了飞行过程中的雷达探测概率和暴露时间.     

Optimal replacement policies for multistate deteriorating systems

We consider state-age-dependent replacement policies for a multistate deteriorating system. We assume that operating cost rates and replacement costs are both functions of the underlying states. Replacement times and sojourn times in different states are all state-dependent random variables. The optimization criterion is to minimize the expected long-run cost rate. A policy-improvement algorithm to derive the optimal policy is presented. We show that under reasonable assumptions, the optimal replacement policies have monotonic properties. In particular, when the failure-rate functions are nonincreasing, or when all the replacement costs and the expected replacement times are independent of state, we show that the optimal policies are only state dependent. Examples are given to illustrate the structure of the optimal policies in the special case when the sojourntime distributions are Weibull. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

三机协同无源时差定位最优编队构型分析

针对未来空战中航空集群协同无源时差定位编队构型确定问题,提出了一种确定三机协同无源时差定位最优编队构型的方法。分析了确定集群编队构型的基本原理;归纳了4个三机编队构型决定因素:主辅机相对位置、基线夹角、基线距离以及主辅机高度差;将定位区域范围和定位距离作为衡量集群无源定位编队构型优劣的指标,并进行了仿真计算。仿真结果表明:在火控引导阶段,当采用主机在后、辅机在前,基线夹角为150°,基线距离为60 km~80 km,主机与目标同高度且主辅机之间高度差为±(1-2)km的编队构型时,三机协同无源时差定位编队构型为最优。     

Investigating the Desirability of Navy Aircraft Service Life Extension Programs

Building on prior work on optimal replacement of aging aircraft, this paper presents three methodologies to evaluate prospective aviation Service Life Extension Programs (SLEPs) and applies these methodologies to US Navy F/A-18E/F data. While considerable uncertainty remains as to the values of key parameters (e.g. the cost of F/A-18E/F SLEPs), the preponderance of the evidence available at this juncture favors undertaking SLEPs on F/A-18E/Fs rather than replacing them with new Joint Strike Fighters.     

A dynamic nonlinear constrained optimal replacement model

A stochastically constrained optimal replacement model for capital equipment is constructed. Each piece of capital equipment, or machine, is characterized by its age and “utility” or “readiness” class. The readiness of a machine at any age is a stochastic function of its initial utility class and its age. The total discounted replacement cost of several replacement streams, each commencing with an initial machine, is minimized with respect to the replacement age and initial utility class of each machine, subject to a readiness constraint stating the lower bound on the expected number of machines in each utility class at any time. A general solution procedure is outlined and a specific case is solved in detail.     

Monotone optimal preventive maintenance policies for stochastically failing equipment

This paper examines various models for maintenance of a machine operating subject to stochastic deterioration. Three alternative models are presented for the deterioration process. For each model, in addition to the replacement decision, the option exists of performing preventive maintenance. The effect of this maintenance is to “slow” the deterioration process. With an appropriate reward structure imposed on the processes, the models are formulated as continuous time Markov decision processes. the optimality criterion being the maximization of expected discounted reward earned over an infinite time horizon. For each model conditions are presented under which the optimal maintenance policy exhibits the following monotonic structure. First, there exists a control limit rule for replacement. That is, there exists a number i* such that if the state of machine deterioration exceeds i* the optimal policy replaces the machine by a new machine. Secondly, prior to replacement the optimal level of preventive maintenance is a nonincreasing function of the state of machine deterioration. The conditions which guarantee this result have a cost/benefit interpretation.     

Planning horizon procedures for machine replacement models with several possible replacement alternatives

This paper develops a forward algorithm and planning horizon procedures for an important machine replacement model where it is assumed that the technological environment is improving over time and that the machine-in-use can be replaced by any of the several different kinds of machines available at that time. The set of replacement alternatives may include (i) new machines with different types of technologies such as labor- and capital- intensive, (ii) used machines, (iii) repairs and/or improvements which affect the performance characteristics of the existing machine, and so forth. The forward dynamic programming algorithm in the paper can be used to solve a finite horizon problem. The planning horizon results give a procedure to identify the forecast horizon T such that the optimal replacement decision for the first machine based on the forecast of machine technology until period T remains optimal for any problem with horizon longer than T and, for that matter, for the infinite horizon problem. A flow chart and a numerical example have been included to illustrate the algorithm.     

A note on a constrained replacement model for ships subject to degradations in utility

In a recent paper, Peter J. Kalman considers a stochastic constrained optimal replacement model using the case of ship replacement as an example. However, the development of the constrained model proposed is not pursued and the optimal interval between replacements is determined in the absence of constraints. Among other things, it is the purpose of the present paper to extend the previous results to develop explicit types of constraints for the case of ship replacement and to determine how the optimal replacement interval may change as a result of these constraints. The constraints are concerned with the state of readiness of each ship in a group of ships. Readiness is assumed to be measured on an ordinal valued utility scale. It is proposed that ordinal valued data on ship combat readiness ratings collected by the Navy may be a useful source of empirical information for a model of the type discussed.     

Optimal spares for stochastically failing equipment

A mathematical model is formulated for determining the number of spare components to purchase when components stochastically fail according to a known life distribution function and there is a cost incurred when a component is replaced. Bounds are determined for the optimal inventory which indicate that the inclusion of the replacement cost lowers the optimal inventory. Since these bounds are no easier to calculate than the optimal spares level, the theory is specialized to components with exponentially distributed time to failure. Procedures are given for calculating the optimal spares level, and numerical examples are provided.     

多传感器定位误差对跟踪性能影响的研究

集中讨论了带有传感器定位误差的多传感器跟踪问题中的滤波方法 ,设计了两个基于一个非线性飞机等效机动模型的扩展卡尔曼滤波器 (EKFs) :最优 EKF(OF)和次优 EKF(SF) ,并应用于带有定位误差的多传感器跟踪问题中。 Monte-Garlo模拟结果表明定位误差对飞机的位置估计影响较大 ,但不影响速度或加速度估计 ;同时说明 OF的性能明显优于 SF。