A Multicriteria Optimization Approach to Aircraft Loading

This note reports a multicriteria optimization approach to aircraft loading. Only cargo manifests or “standard loads” provided (or approved) by experienced loadmasters are employed in the optimization procedure. The familiarity of the load manifests that comprise the solution makes the model truly operable. In testing with actual data, the model reduced the number of aircraft loads required to complete an airlift by 9%, as compared to the traditional, manual method presently used. More importantly, the model provides timely planning and improves airlift support of combat operations.