Modeling the AIM-9 sidewinder missile repair line through discrete event simulation

Abstract

Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is required through Department of Defense (DoD) Lean initiatives and directives to reduce the cycle time of its repair and overhaul lines. The activities involved at DoD repair and overhaul depot facilities are a multi-billion dollar expenditure within the DoD budget. The DoD, in an attempt to reduce expenditures, has focused on Lean manufacturing as an operational strategy oriented toward achieving the shortest possible cycle time by eliminating waste across all depot systems and processes. We establish a discrete event simulation model to study the AIM-9 Sidewinder Missile repair process line, specifically the repair of the Guidance and Control Section (GCS) component of the missile. Currently TYAD does not employ a computer simulation model to support the leaning technique for its repair and overhaul processes. This thesis is the first attempt to model the Sidewinder Repair Line with a computer-aided discrete event simulation. TYAD will implement results from this analysis to help reduce cycle time and garner insights into current policies and procedures employed on the Sidewinder Repair Line. TYAD has identified potential for future use of this analysis by employing the technique of discrete event simulation to augment its DoD-mandated Leaning procedures.