Employment of an evolutionary heuristic to solve the target allocation problem efficiently

In this study, we investigated different optimization approaches for the resource allocation problem in the preparation of Air Tasking Orders (ATOs) and analyzed their performances. We developed a genetic algorithm with customized encoding, crossover and fitness calculation mechanisms making use of domain knowledge. We also developed an integer programming model, a simple greedy algorithm and a brute-force algorithm for the same problem to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm and demonstrate our contribution to the resource allocation's effectiveness and efficiency. ATOs are designed to meet the objectives of various air combat missions by optimized resource management. Considering combinatorial aspects with dynamic objectives and various constraints, computer support has become essential for the optimization of resource management in air force operations. We developed a novel solution to this real life time critical problem, which is a time-consuming and gain-optimized decision problem.

[1]  I. Maros.  Computational Techniques of the Simplex Method , 2002 .

[2]  Larry J. Eshelman,et al.  The CHC Adaptive Search Algorithm: How to Have Safe Search When Engaging in Nontraditional Genetic Recombination , 1990, FOGA.

[3]  Mark A. Schulze,et al.  Linear Programming for Optimization , 1998 .

[4]  Arvind Kumar,et al.  Exact and Heuristic Algorithms for the Weapon-Target Assignment Problem , 2007, Oper. Res..

[5]  N. Meggido.  Pathways to the optimal set in linear programming , 1988 .

[6]  Sushil J. Louis,et al.  Strike Force Asset Allocation using Genetic Search , 2002, IC-AI.

[7]  Chou-Yuan Lee,et al.  Efficiently solving general weapon-target assignment problem by genetic algorithms with greedy eugenics , 2003, IEEE Trans. Syst. Man Cybern. Part B.

[8]  John H. Holland,et al.  Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems: An Introductory Analysis with Applications to Biology, Control, and Artificial Intelligence , 1992 .

[9]  Ingo Rechenberg,et al.  Evolutionsstrategie : Optimierung technischer Systeme nach Prinzipien der biologischen Evolution , 1973 .

[10]  Mitsuo Gen,et al.  Genetic algorithms and engineering optimization , 1999 .

[11]  Keith E. Mathias,et al.  Convergence Controlled Variation , 1996, FOGA.

[12]  Jens Gottlieb,et al.  Evolutionary Computation in Combinatorial Optimization , 2006, Lecture Notes in Computer Science.

[13]  Byung Ro Moon,et al.  On Multi-Dimensional Encoding/Crossover , 1995, ICGA.

[14]  S. Su,et al.  A genetic algorithm with domain knowledge for weapon‐target assignment problems , 2002 .

[15]  E. Andrew Boyd,et al.  Towards the real time solution of strike force asset allocation problems , 2004, Comput. Oper. Res..

[16]  Mitsuo Gen,et al.  Genetic Algorithms , 1999, Wiley Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Engineering.

[17]  Mitsuo Gen,et al.  A tutorial survey of job-shop scheduling problems using genetic algorithms—I: representation , 1996 .

[18]  Yi-Bing Lin,et al.  Allocating Resources for Soft Requests - A Performance Study , 1995, Inf. Sci..

[19]  Jay M. Rosenberger,et al.  The Generalized Weapon Target Assignment Problem , 2005 .

[20]  Jiuping Xu,et al.  A class of rough multiple objective programming and its application to solid transportation problem , 2012, Inf. Sci..

[21]  George B. Dantzig,et al.  Linear programming and extensions , 1965 .

[22]  Gregory S. Parnell,et al.  An Air Mission Planning Algorithm Using Decision Analysis and Mixed Integer Programming , 1997, Oper. Res..

[23]  Lin Zhang,et al.  Decision-Theoretic Military Operations Planning , 2004, ICAPS.

[24]  Joseph P Sowa.  The Computer Assisted Air Tasking Order Preparation System, an Enhancement to the Computer Assisted Force Management System (CAFMS) and Constant Watch Programs. , 1981 .

[25]  Moshe Kress,et al.  Operational Logistics: The Art and Science of Sustaining Military Operations , 2002 .

[26]  Hadi Gökçen,et al.  An analytic hierarchy process and two-sided matching based decision support system for military personnel assignment , 2008, Inf. Sci..

[27]  Shuo-Yan Chou,et al.  A note on "Solving linear programming problems under fuzziness and randomness environment using attainment values" , 2009, Inf. Sci..

[28]  W. Vent,et al.  Rechenberg, Ingo, Evolutionsstrategie — Optimierung technischer Systeme nach Prinzipien der biologischen Evolution. 170 S. mit 36 Abb. Frommann‐Holzboog‐Verlag. Stuttgart 1973. Broschiert , 1975 .

[29]  Chou-Yuan Lee,et al.  A hybrid search algorithm with heuristics for resource allocation problem , 2005, Inf. Sci..

[30]  Jens Gottlieb,et al.  Evolutionary Computation In Combinatorial Optimization: 4th European Conference, Evocop 2004, Coimbra, Portugal, April 5-7, 2004, Proceedings (LECTURE NOTES IN COMPUTER SCIENCE) , 2004 .

[31]  Alexander Toet,et al.  The Weapon-Target Assignment Problem , 2007 .

[32]  David E. Goldberg,et al.  Genetic Algorithms in Search Optimization and Machine Learning , 1988 .

[33]  Xiaoyan Sun,et al.  Evolutionary algorithms for optimization problems with uncertainties and hybrid indices , 2011, Inf. Sci..

[34]  Frederick S. Hillier,et al.  Introduction of Operations Research , 1967 .

[35]  Mu-Chun Su,et al.  A PSO-based Decision Aid for Multi-Aircraft Combat Situations , 2008 .