Hub and spoke logistics for maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations

Abstract

This research studies the ability of 11 combat logistics force (CLF) ships and four transport aircraft to support building and sustaining operations at four maritime patrol and reconnaissance military airbases throughout the African continent. We have implemented a traditional hub and spoke (HandS) concept with sample demand data provided by the staff of Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Force Seventh Fleet, in a hypothetical situation where U.S. forces are required to assist the Nigerian government. We use the CLF Planner optimization tool to obtain shuttle schedules for three scenarios of daily demands of four commodities. One scenario requires the buildup of an airbase within seven days, and the other two require so in three days. All CLF shuttles have been randomly selected, positioned and loaded with commodities. Depending on the length of the buildup phase and the initial stock of commodities at the HandS, we find that the continuous sustainment operations (over a 45-day planning horizon) may not be feasible in some cases. Specifically, if a short buildup phase is required, we recommend the prepositioning of commodities at a minimum of 25% of daily demands, and dedicated air shuttles carrying only ordnance.