An analysis of the ordance offload/onload costs of Pacific Fleet large deck amphibious assault ships (LHA and LHD) homeported in San Diego

Abstract

This thesis uses total cost and external safety considerations to determine the most cost effective and safest method of embarking/debarking ordnance to support the Pacific Fleet. The study relies on historical data and spreadsheet-based Monte Carlo simulations to estimate operation times. Simulation is required because few operations have been conducted so historical data is limited. The 'add-in' package, 'Crystal Ball,' applies stochastic simulations to decision making analysis. The actual costs of anchorage and vertical replenishment (vertrep) operations are compared, using triangular and uniform distribution models. This thesis provides a more accurate cost analysis for comparing onload/offload vertrep and anchorage operations. The funding from this comparison determined that vertreps provide the largest benefit to the fleet in terms of cost, training, and flexibility.