Date of Award

3-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Operations Research

Department

Department of Operational Sciences

First Advisor

Lance E. Champagne, PhD

Abstract

In conjunction with the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials Lab(AFRL-RX), this study evaluates the potential military value of the prototype material sensing composites on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and close air support (CAS) missions within a contested Indo-Pacific theater. Using a Simio based simulation,UAV performance was assessed under varying combat conditions, focusing on Remote Sensing, deployment strategies, initial lay-downs, and varying loss rates. Re-sults show that UAVs equipped with Remote Sensing technology significantly improved sortie generation and logistical efficiency. Scenario 17 achieved the highest sortie rate(965.5 sorties), outperforming the next-best scenario by 25 sorties. Sensitivity analysis revealed 3% to 4% sortie gains in low-damage conditions and 2% to 6% sortie gains in high-damage environments with Remote Sensing implemented. Remote Sensing reduced maintenance downtime by 21% compared to the next non-Remote Sensing scenario by optimizing repair routing. These findings highlight Remote Sensing’s strategic advantage in increasing operational resilience, minimizing logistical strain, and improving air power projection in future conflicts.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENS-MS-25-M-249

Comments

An embargo was observed for posting this thesis.

This work is marked Distribution A, Approved for Public Release. PA case number 88ABW-2025-0366

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