Airbase sortie generation analysis model (ABSGAM)

• US 4,926,362 A
• Filed: 04/07/1988
• Issued: 05/15/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Byrnes, John M., Flick, Peter M., Carns, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gruber, Felix D.
• Application Number:
  US07/182,285
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• Field of Search: 364/423, 364/578
• US Class Current: 703/8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/15 Vehicle, aircraft or watercraft design
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/20 Design optimisation, verification or simulation optimisation, verification or simulation of circuit designs G06F30/30

Abstract

ABSGAM is a computer model developed to predict the maximum sortie generation capability of aircraft operating from a typical USAF air base. The model allows the user to easily change input parameters to evaluate their effect on: (1) aircraft sortie rates, (2) cumulative sorties generated, (3) payload launched, and (4) material personnel required to support the air base operation. ABSGAM simulates (1) an air-base-attack and recovery, (2) reduced payload operations, (3) reduced maintenance capability, (4) extended turn-around time, and (5) aircraft attrition (both air and ground). Program input has been minimized for ease of use. Program output is available in tabular and graphical form. This model was developed as part of a technology assessment.

Claims

1. A method of operation of an airbase sortie generation analysis computer program model for analyzing the sortie generation capabilities and support requirements of aircraft designs, comprising the steps:

reading data parameters relating to aircraft design features and airbase operations from an input source;

running a simulation of aircraft preparation operations including arming and fueling, followed by simulation of flying a mission, which includes calculation of battle damage, maintenance requirements, attrition of aircraft, and available aircraft;

providing output of the results for a number of runs; and

repeating the step of running a simulation a given number of times.

2. A method of operation of a computer program model for analyzing the operations capabilities and support requirements of vehicle designs, comprising the steps:

reading data parameters relating to vehicle design features and base operations from an input source;

running a simulation of vehicle preparation operations including fueling, followed by simulation of performing a mission;

providing output of the results for a number of runs; and

repeating the step of running a simulation a given number of times.

3. A method of operation of an airbase sortie generation analysis computer program model used in a computer system having a monitor with a screen and a keyboard connected thereto for interactive input by a user for analyzing the sortie (mission) generation capabilities and support requirements of aircraft designs, the operation of the airbase being analyzed by runs comprised of a number of days with a number of missions each day, wherein the method comprises the steps:

opening a print file to collect all non-graphics screen output and user inputs, means for reading input from the keyboard and to write or echo to the screen;

initializing a program execution counter (RUN) to zero;

providing input parameters for air base operation by reading interactive responses from the keyboard, and also by reading input files;

calculating and defining factors and initiating pointers relating to air base operation;

beginning execution of missions and outputting the results in a table and summary for each day, starting with a main loop to be executed for every mission, a mission number MI being initially set to one;

simulating various operations and generating output data relating thereto;

after the last mission of the day writing to the screen and to the output file the daily and cumulative data;

comparing the number of the day to the number of days for the run, to determine if this is the end of the run, and if not, returning to the beginning of the main loop to run the next mission;

effective after the output for the last day of the engagement giving the user the choice of a graphics option, and if the user does not want the graphics option at this time, giving the user the option of restarting the program for another run or stopping;

responsive to the user choosing the graphics option, plotting the results of this run and/or any previous runs as selected by the user, and then giving the user the option of restarting the program or stopping.

4. A method of operation of a computer program model used in a computer system having a monitor with a screen and a keyboard connected thereto for interactive input by a user for analyzing base operations and mission generation capabilities and support requirements of vehicle designs, the operation of the base being analyzed by runs comprised of a number of days with a number of missions each day, wherein the computer program model comprises:

opening a print file to collect all non-graphics screen output and user inputs, reading input from the keyboard and writing or echoing to the screen;

initializing a program execution counter (RUN) to zero;

providing input parameters for base operation by reading interactive responses from the keyboard, and also by reading input files;

calculating and defining factors and initiating pointers relating to base operation;

executing missions and outputting the results in a table and summary for each day, starting with a main loop to be executed for every mission, a mission number MI being initially set to one;

simulating various operations and generating output data relating thereto;

after the last mission of the day writing to the screen and to the output file the daily and cumulative data;

comparing the number of the day to the number of days for the run, to determine if this is the end of the run, and if not, returning to the beginning of the main loop to run the next mission;

after the output for the last day of the engagement, giving the user the choice of a graphics option, and if the user does not want the graphics option at this time, giving the user the option of restarting the program for another run or stopping;

responsive to the user choosing the graphics option, plotting the results of this run and/or any previous runs as selected by the user, and then giving the user the option of restarting the program or stopping.

5. An airbase sortie generation analysis computer program model for analyzing the sortie generation capabilities and support requirements of aircraft designs used in a computer system having a monitor with a screen and a keyboard connected thereto for interactive input by a user, comprising:

means for reading data parameters relating to aircraft design features and airbase operations from an input source;

means for running a simulation of aircraft preparation operations including arming and fueling, followed by simulation of flying a mission, which includes calculation of battle damage, maintenance requirements, attrition of aircraft, and available aircraft;

means providing output of the results for a number of runs; and

means for repeating operation of the means for running a simulation a given number of times.

6. An airbase sortie generation analysis computer program model used in a computer system having a monitor with a screen and a keyboard connected thereto for interactive input by a user for analyzing the sortie (mission) generation capabilitie and support requirements of aircraft designs, the operation of the airbase being analyzed by runs comprised of a number of days with a number of missions each day, wherein the computer program model comprises:

means for opening a print file to collect all non-graphics screen output and user inputs, means for reading input from the keyboard and to write or echo to the screen;

means for initialization of a program execution counter (RUN) to zero;

means for providing for an air base attack option with a definition of when the base is under attack, with each of a given number of attack periods comprising a number of attack days (missions may be skipped on these days), means for providing values for a reduced maintenance factor array and a reduced rearm/refuel array for the attacks;

means for displaying a message on the screen and reading from the keyboard to determine if the run will be an air-base-attack case;

means responsive to selection of a non-air-base-attack case for setting all attack days to zero, and setting an attack counter (A) to a value one greater than said given number of attacks, and for setting reduced maintenance and rearm/refuel factors to one;

means responsive to selection of an air-base-attack case for interactively providing a name of an air-base-attack input file, which is a directory file which includes an air base open time and reduced payload capacity for each of the days of each attack period;

means for reading a runway open time from the identified air-base-attack input file, and reading a runway open time and reduced payload for missions completed during the attack days, means for initiating the attack counter (A) and taking the reduced maintenance and rearm/refuel factors from the arrays, means for reading a day and attack time when the main runway opens after each attack period;

means using the identified air-base-attack input file for providing base reopen times for each attack day, with any missions completed on these days having a given reduced payload capacity (a full payload capability being included among the main input parameters);

means operative for both an air-base-attack case and a non-air-base-attack case for incrementing the program execution counter;

means for interactively selecting one of three options for providing main input parameters, these options being (1) interactive input, (2) file input, and (3) modification of previous run;

means responsive to selection any of these three options to enter values for variables as follows;

number of aircraft in initial force, engagement length in days, mission flight time in minutes, aircraft critical mean time between failure (MTBF) in hours, fuel required (lbs. fuel/sortie), maintenance man-hour rate mmh/fh), maximum payload (no. of weapons);

the input data being retained from the previous run for the third option;

means for interactively providing the user a chance to change any of these parameters before beginning a run; and

means for storing the run variables in print matrices;

means for interactively entering a file name containing daily combat attrition rates, with values which are percent attribution rates for each of the 30 days in the run, wherein these values, when multiplied by the number of aircraft flying a mission, provide the number of aircraft attrited during that mission;

means for initializing variables for cumulative attrition, daily attrition, missions skipped due to an attack and no print flags, day counter, daily sorties, cumulative sorties, fuel consumed and maintenance man-hours per flight-hour, current payload capacity, cumulative payload, daily payload, available aircraft, and ground attrition rates;

means for calculating a maintenance rate as the flight time divided by the mean time between failures in minutes;

means for initializing a maintenance and damage pointer, defining a normal day start time, starting a timer, and writing an output heading for the first day;

wherein the program then begins executing missions and outputting the results in a table and summary for each day of the engagement, startinng with a main loop to be executed for every mission, a mission number MI being initially set to one;

means for checking the attack counter (A) to determine whether it is less than or equal to said given number of attack periods (this counter was either set to one plus said given number of attack periods non-attack cases, or initially set to one for attack cases), responsive to "yes" indicating that the base has been attacked to check whether the main runway is ready to reopen by a comparison of current time against a variable for time of day the main runway opens after each attack period, and is yes setting the payload to full capacity, increment the attack counter, and telling the user that the main runway is now open before executing the next mission;

means for setting a variable for the next engagement day; and

for checking this variable to determine if it is one of the attack days, and if the base is under attack checking to see if a flag has been set indicating that missions have already been skipped, if missions have not been skipped, setting variables to reduce the payload capacity, calculating ground attrition and update the available aircraft, means for executing a mission skip routine and setting the mission skip flag (so same missions are not skipped again next time through the loop);

means for calculating ground time for rearming and refueling, and incrementing the time;

if it is not the end of day, means for proceeding to run a mission, which comprises calculating attrited aircraft and the number of sorties;

incrementing daily sorties, payload, and attrition;

calculating damaged aircraft, surviving aircraft, aircraft requiring maintenance, and mission capable of aircraft;

also determining the time when damaged aircraft and aircraft requiring maintenance after the next mission will be available, reducing the number of available aircraft by the number of damaged aircraft and aircraft requiring maintenance; and

also performing time calculations and updating;

means for testing the pool of aircraft in maintenance and damaged aircraft to determine which aircraft will be available for the next mission, the number of available aircraft being increased and a pointer being reset;

there being a calculation of the number of aircraft returning from maintenance; and

a calculation of the mission start time;

means operative responsive to an end-of-day indication for incrementing a day counter, resetting the mission skip flag, incrementing the time, testing the pool of available aircraft, and adding to the number of aircraft available;

means responsive to it being an attack day for incrementing an attack counter and setting attack variables;

means wherein all data generated by the most recent mission is written as output to the screen and to the output file;

means effective if it is not the end of day for incrementing the mission counter (MI) and beginning the main loop for the next mission;

means effective after the last mission of the day for writing to the screen and to the output file the daily and cumulative attrition;

incrementing the cumulative sorties and payload;

outputting the daily and cumulative sorties;

outputting the daily and cumulative payload;

saving the values for daily and cumulative sorties, daily and cumulative payload, daily and cumulative attrition, and available aircraft for the beginning of the next day;

means for calculating and saving the daily and cumulative fuel consumption, and daily and cumulative maintenance man-hours;

means for resetting the daily counters for attrition, sorties, payload, and ground attrition to zero;

wherein for each completed mission, the output includes the following;

(1) mission start time

(2) aircraft available to fly the mission

(3) aircraft attrited during the mission

(4) aircraft damaged during the mission

(5) total number and breakdown of aircraft entering maintenance cycles after the mission

(6) the number of aircraft returning from maintenance during this mission that will be available for the next mission

(7) the number of aircraft that flew this mission and require no maintenance before flying again;

means for comparing the number of the day to the number of days for the run, to determine if this is the end of the run, and if not, returning to the beginning of the main loop to run the next mission;

means effective after the output for the last day of the engagement for giving the user the choice of a graphics option, and if the user does not want the graphics option at this time, giving the user the option of restarting the program for another run or stopping;

means responsive to the user choosing the graphics option for plotting the results of this run and/or any previous runs as selected by the user, and then giving the user the option of restarting the program or stopping.

7. An airbase sortie generation analysis computer program model used in a computer system having a monitor with a screen and a keyboard connected thereto for interactive input by a user for analyzing the sortie (mission) generation capabilities and support requirements of aircraft designs, the operation of the airbase being analyzed by runs comprised of a number of days with a number of missions each day, wherein the computer program model comprises:

means for opening a print file to collect all non-graphics screen output and user inputs, means for reading input from the keyboard and to write or echo to the screen;

8. means for initialization of a program execution counter (RUN) to zero;

means for providing input parameters for air base operation by reading interactive responses from the keyboard, and also by reading input files;

means for calculating and defining factors and initiating pointers relating to air base operation;

wherein the program then begins executing missions and outputting the results in a table and summary for each day, starting with a main loop to be executed for every mission, a mission number MI being initially set to one;

means for simulating various operations and generating output data relating thereto;

means effective after the last mission of the day for writing to the screen and to the output file the daily and cumulative data;

means for comparing the number of the day to the number of days for the run, to determine if this is the end of the run, and if not, returning to the beginning of the main loop to run the next mission;

means effective after the output for the last day of the engagement for giving the user the choice of a graphics option, and if the user does not want the graphics option at this time, giving the user the option of restarting the program for another run or stopping;

means responsive to the user choosing the graphics option for plotting the results of this run and/or any previous runs as selected by the user, and then giving the user the option of restarting the program or stopping.

9. A computer program model used in a computer system having a monitor with a screen and a keyboard connected thereto for interactive input by a user for analyzing base operations and mission generation capabilities and support requirements of vehicle designs, the operation of the base being analyzed by runs comprised of a number of days with a number of missions each day, wherein the computer program model comprises:

means for opening a print file to collect all non-graphics screen output and user inputs, means for reading input from the keyboard and to write or echo to the screen;

means for initialization of a program execution counter (RUN) to zero;

means for providing input parameters for base operation by reading interactive responses from the keyboard, and also by reading input files;

means for calculating and defining factors and initiating pointers relating to base operation;

wherein the program then begins executing missions and outputting the results in a table and summary for each day, starting with a main loop to be executed for every mission, a mission number MI being initially set to one;

means for simulating various operations and generating output data relating thereto;

means effective after the last mission of the day for writing to the screen and to the output file the daily and cumulative data;

means for comparing the number of the day to the number of days for the run, to determine if this is the end of the run, and if not, returning to the beginning of the main loop to run the next mission;

means effective after the output for the last day of the engagement for giving the user the choice of a graphics option, and if the user does not want the graphics option at this time, giving the user the option of restarting the program for another run or stopping;

means responsive to the user choosing the graphics option for plotting the results of this run and/or any previous runs as selected by the user, and then giving the user the option of restarting the program or stopping.