Evaluating the combined UUV efforts in a large-scale mine warfare environment
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Authors
Thompson, Andrew R.
Subjects
Unmanned underwater vehicles
mine warfare
mine countermeasures
simulation
design of experiments
robust design
mine warfare
mine countermeasures
simulation
design of experiments
robust design
Advisors
Sanchez, Susan M.
Date of Issue
2015-03
Date
March 2015
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The current surface mine countermeasures (MCM) fleet is aging, yet there are no viable systems to replace it. The U.S. Navy requires an improved minehunting platform, and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) can meet that need. In order to attain enough UUVs and operators to make these missions successful, the United States must rely on the participation of allies to provide these assets. This study assesses the key decision factors in mine clearance operations using UUVs of differing capabilities. It uses a discrete-event simulation to model the performance of UUVs in a large-scale MCM operation. Data is generated using a state-of-the- art design of experiments and analyzed to find the best tasking plan for the scenario. The results show that with proper tasking, UUVs with lesser ability levels can be used appropriately and still produce acceptable levels of mine clearance, usually more quickly than a smaller cadre of highly capable vehicles. This study finds UUV altitude, track spacing, number of passes, and search speed to be decision factors that influence minehunting results, while track spacing, number of passes, search speed, and resupply are influential factors that effect mission completion times.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Operations Research
Operations Research
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.