Modeling and simulation in support of operational test and evaluation for the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV)

Abstract

This thesis documents a simulation model developed to assist in the planning of Operational Test and Evaluation (OTandE) of the Marine Corpsgas Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV). The model simulates a platoon of AAAVs in an amphibious assault, using Operational Maneuver From the Sea (OMFTS) techniques, supported by elements of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard amphibious ships offshore. The emphasis of the model is on suitability issues, specifically operational availability, maintainability, and supportability. In particular the effect of logistical support for one AAAV on the ability of the platoon to complete a mission. The purpose of the simulation is to gain insight into important and highly sensitive factors that, when changed slightly, have large effects on the platoon of AAAVgass ability to perform its mission. The results of the model show that, the assumed form of the distribution of failure times for a single AAAV is the most important aspect of reliability test data. Simply calculating the mean time to failure (MTTF) from data and using an exponential model is inadequate. Even if an observed or estimated MTTF is within an acceptable requirement threshold level, if it is characterized by a high or even moderate number of infant failure times, then the platoongass ability to perform its mission is substantially impeded. Other factors that are of importance are the procedure by which a failed AAAV is rescued and repaired, and the average length of each repair.