Parallel Computing for DoD Airlift Allocation

This research demonstrates the applicability of parallel computing to Air Mobility Command’s aircraft allocation problem. The Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC) is responsible for worldwide tasking of DoD airlift in a manner that is robust against random future events. Our work seeks to improve this process using a parallel stochastic mathematical program that allocates aircraft to various mission sets during a planning cycle. To reconcile real-world mission changes, we incorporate random realizations of the subsequent cycle’s execution, accounting for humanitarian/wartime contingencies, cargo fluctuations, aircraft breakdowns, and short-notice special missions. The technical approach employs a two-stage stochastic mixed-integer program with complete recourse. The first stage allocates aircraft by home base and aircraft type