Date of Award

2-1997

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Operational Sciences

First Advisor

T. Glenn Bailey, PhD

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to provide Air Combat Command a method for determining the number of predator unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) required to cover a pre-selected target. Extending previous research that employs reactive TABU search methods for deterministic vehicle routing problems, this thesis incorporates wind effects that can significantly alter the travel times for any given scenario. Additionally, it accounts for possible attrition by introducing minimum risk route and expected number of target covered to the objective function. The results of the TABU search and subsequent Monte-Carlo simulation: gives the number of predator's required to cover a target set, identifies 'robust' routes, and suggests routes that increase expected number of targets covered while reducing losses.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GOR-ENS-97M-20

DTIC Accession Number

ADA324146

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