Optimizing a military supply chain in the presence of random, non-stationary demands

Download
Author
Ng, Yew Soon
Date
2003-12Advisor
Kress, Moshe
Second Reader
Dell, Robert
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Demand for supplies, such as ammunition, during a military operation is a scenario-dependent random variable that may be subject to high variance. The challenge is to design an efficient military logistics supply chain that satisfies uncertain, non-stationary demands, while taking into account the volatility and singularity of military operations. This research focuses on the development of a modeling framework that determines the optimal deployment of transportation assets and supplies at the operational level, with possible interdiction by enemy forces. We term this model, Optimal Military Logistics Supply Chain (OPTiMiLSC). This is a two-level, multiple time period scenario-based stochastic model. OPTiMiLSC uses a combination of optimization, scenario-based simulation and statistical analysis. We use a "scenario tree" method to generate the demand scenarios. The results show a positive correlation between the number of demand scenarios and the probability that a random demand scenario is satisfied. We compare OPTiMiLSC with two deterministic optimization approaches. The first approach is where demands are fixed at the 90th percentile, which tends to over-supply when compared to OPTiMiLSC. The mean value approach, on the other hand, tends to under-supply. OPTiMiLSC enables military planners to establish a robust logistic plan that responds more adequately to an intra-theater operation.
Rights
Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner.Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Estimating the fully burdened cost of supply in a self-sustaining supply chain using an input-output model
Temel, Hasan; Ayrus, Baris; Aslan, Mehmet Akif (Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School, 2013-12);Armed forces of many countries conduct various operations both at home and worldwide. These operations are conducted not only in areas where procurement is viable, but also in areas where commodities consumed by the logistics ... -
OPTIMIZING THE SUSTAINMENT NETWORK FOR EXPEDITIONARY ADVANCED BASE OPERATIONS
Johnson, Lane M. (Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2022-12);The Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept places small, distributed forces within a contested environment to achieve strategic effects. However, current sustainment platforms and infrastructure ... -
OPTIMIZATION OF LOGISTIC SUPPLY CHANNELS OF THE GERMAN ARMED FORCES FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF SMALL-ARMS AMMUNITION
Gramann, Alexander (Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2019-12);Today, the responsibilities of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) have become broader and increased in scope. The basic readiness and training requirements for each German service member to be employed domestically (for ...