Analysis of Inter/Intra ship material movement in sea based logistics using simulation

Abstract

Operational Maneuver From the Sea (OMFTS) and its implementing concept, Sea Based Logistics (SBL) stress the need for logistically supporting forces ashore directly from a sea base. This implies a radically different approach for supporting forces ashore in the future. This study analyzes the concept of SBL in the area of inter-ship and intra-ship movement of materiel as well as ship-to-objective materiel movement in order to gain insight into the envisioned SBL support concept. This study presents a conceptual model blending aspects of current underway replenishment (UNREP) processes with an operational scenario incorporating the tenets of the OMFTS and SBL concepts. A baseline simulation model was developed to estimate UNREP cycle times under various scenarios. Experiments were conducted by modifying the baseline model to assess the impact on inter/intra ship materiel movement cycle time by increasing the lift capacity of the helicopters used for vertical replenishment (VERTREP) as well as increasing the number helicopters used for VERTREP. Results indicate that an increase in helicopter lift capacity significantly reduce overall cycle time, more importantly UNREP cycle time. The simulation model identifies constraining resources (i.e., elevators and forklifts) that are on the critical path of operations. Results of this thesis will eventually help to configure the amphibious ships used for SEL in the future.