A conceptual framework for the U.S. Army tactical wheeled vehicle optimization model

Abstract

This thesis addresses the problem of optimizing the U.S. Army's Light Tactical Wheeled Vehicle (LTWV) fleet over the next 15 years. To achieve these ends we created a multiple objective decision analysis (MODA) model which assigns a value to each vehicle in the LTWV fleet, as well as a linear program (LP) which allows decision makers to find feasible modernization strategies for the LTWV fleet subject to multiple constraints such as budget and operational readiness. The MODA assigns a value to every individual vehicle variant depending upon its measures of performance in several categories. Those values are used by the LTWV LP to prescribe solutions for decision makers. We implemented the LTWV LP using notional data and ran initial analyses to demonstrate the program's validity. Possible analyses include varying any of the LTWV LP inputs, such as operational, budgetary, and age requirements, as well as procurement availability bounds. The project serves as a conceptual framework for future refinement of the decision tool requested by the U.S. Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM).