Research Summaries

Back Optimization of Airframe Depot Readiness Assessment Model (ADRAM)

Fiscal Year 2021
Division Research & Sponsored Programs
Department NPS Naval Research Program
Investigator(s) MacKinnon, Douglas J.
Sponsor Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (Navy)
Summary The Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) is tasked with providing sufficient numbers of aircraft to meet readiness and operational surge requirements. This study seeks to improve NAE readiness as defined by the number of mission-capable (MC) aircraft available for operational tasking. Our research will remain focused on ADRAM output and thus inform Senior Leaders and decisions made concerning the POM process and the risk to aircraft readiness as well as the available trade space and implications of potential alternatives upon readiness outcomes. This project seeks to optimize the output of the (Airframe Depot Readiness Assessment Model) ADRAM based on balancing readiness and cost. The output will be used to better inform the POM process on the risk to aircraft readiness through the FYDP. The far-reaching implications of programmatic decisions on aircraft airframes with respect to availability is a complex problem that requires exploration. ADRAM does not evaluate the most efficient and effective set of maintenance events required to meet a specific readiness goal (or to implement a decrease in funding). There are two basic reasons for this observation: some of the model's solution algorithms do not appear consistent with current practices, while other algorithms reflect current practices that are likely to be suboptimal, specifically:
- The model assumes that the most expensive tasks are the first to be deferred. This does not necessarily minimize the readiness impact of the delay, and is unlikely to reflect actual practice.
- The model assumes "level-loading" of maintenance tasks across facilities. This may be consistent with current practices but does not necessarily allocate events to the most efficient facilities.
- The model assumes "fair-sharing" of budget cuts across facilities. This does not necessarily defer events at the least efficient facilities.
- The model defers maintenance for the Type Model Series (TMS) with the smallest excess availability. This does not in general efficiently control excess inventory and is unlikely to reflect actual practice.
Keywords
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Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal