A Genetic Algorithm Approach For Integrating Awacs Flight Training Programs Into Crew Schedules

Abstract

Today, Air Force is the most effective element in defense and military organizations of the countries. In parallel with the technological developments in the defense industry, military combat aircraft and other air support elements contribute significantly to the success of the operations. The training of flying personnel using advanced technology and high capability weapons and equipment is getting more and more important every day. Individuals, who fly on high-cost platforms such as combat pilots and AWACS controllers are required to go through long and intensive training in order to achieve combat-ready status.        Given the high costs of actual flights for training, a rigorous planning and scheduling activity is carried out to ensure that resources are used effectively and expenditures are minimized. In this paper, genetic algorithms were utilized for integrating AWACS flight training programs into crew schedules. The criteria which affect the scheduling were mathematically modeled and fitness function of the existing AWACS Crew Scheduling algorithm was revised. In order to measure the performance of the designed model, crew scheduling was carried out through a notional flight schedule of an artificial AWACS squadron similar to real-world examples. Genetic algorithms have been applied through a novel software developed as a test bed. As a result of the experiements, the algorithm was able to schedule all individuals based on the relevant criteria outlined in the guidelines, assigning students to flights with correct student-intructor pairings and complying with priorities selected by user while reaching the optimum solution in a reasonable time.

Keywords

• AWACS,Crew scheduling,Genetic algorithms,Air force,Optimization,Flight training programs

References

1. Van Deventer, R., Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and Space: A Framework to Help Understand the Issues. 2000, AIR UNIV MAXWELL AFB AL SCHOOL OF ADVANCED AIRPOWER STUDIES. Holland, J., Adaptation in artificial and natural systems. Ann Arbor: The University of Michigan Press, 1975. Ünal, H.T., Using Genetic Algorithms to Solve AWACS Crew Scheduling Problem, in The Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences. 2018, Selcuk University: Konya. p. 105. Aslan, D., A decision support system for effective scheduling in an F-16 pilot training squadron. 2003, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) School of Engineering and Management: Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Dyer, D.E., A Visual Programming Methodology for Tactical Aircrew Scheduling and Other Applications. 1991, ROME LAB ROME NY. Evans, S.E., Improving the Cost Efficiency and Readiness of MC-130 Aircrew Training. 2015, The Pardee RAND Graduate School: Santa Monica. p. 146. Gokcen, O.B., Robust aircraft squadron scheduling in the face of absenteeism. 2008, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) School of Engineering and Management: Wright Patterson AirForce Base, Ohio. Durkan, M., Multi objective decision analysis for assignment problems. 2011, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) School of Engineering and Management: Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Erdemir, U., Optimizing Flight Schedules by an Automated Decision Support System. 2014, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) School of Engineering and Management: Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. Yavuz, M., Optimizing an F-16 squadron weekly pilot schedule for the Turkish Air Force. 2010, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) School of Engineering and Management: Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. Vestli, M., et al., Scheduling fighter squadron training missions using column generation. Optimization Letters, 2015. 9(8): p. 1659-1674. Kawakami, T., An aid for flight squadron scheduling. 1990, Naval Postgraduate School (NPS): Monterey, California. Nguyen, C.T., An interactive decision support system for scheduling fighter pilot training. 2002, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) School of Engineering and Management: Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. Newlon, T.M., Mathematical programming model for fighter training squadron pilot scheduling. 2007, Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) School of Engineering and Management: Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. Van Brabant, J.D., A monthly squadron sortie scheduling model for improved combat readiness. 1993, Naval Postgraduate School (NPS): Monterey, California. Shirley Jr, M.D., An Improved Heuristic for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Crew Scheduling. 1994, AIR FORCE INST OF TECH WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB OH SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING. O'Connor, J.B., An expert system for aviation squadron flight scheduling. 1991, Naval Postgraduate School: Monterey, California. Brown, R.P., Optimizing Readiness and Equity in Marine Corps Aviation Training Schedules. 1995, Naval Postgraduate School: Monterey, California.