Location Optimization of Continental United States Strip Alert Sites Supporting Homeland Defense

With the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the fall of the Soviet Union, the number of alert aircraft dwindled to 14 aircraft located at 7 sites on September 11, 2001. After the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center Towers and the Pentagon, the United States could not continue to endorse an outward looking air defense strategy. Terrorism completely changed the landscape of the air defense mission. This research develops a location optimization model to optimally locate alert sites post-11 September to cover areas of interest in the CONUS. The model finds the minimum number of alert sites, minimum aggregate network distance, and minimized maximum distance given a range of aircraft launch times and speeds. The model is formulated as an Integer Program, and Microsoft Excel\u27s® Solver™ Add-In is used to run the model. This research provides air defense planners a tool to use in formulating an optimal strip alert network. By finding the minimum number of sites and the minimum aggregate distance to cover all areas of interest, duplication of coverage effort, dispersion of resources, and network response time is minimized. The results presented in this research should lead to a more efficient and effective air defense strip alert network to support homeland defense of the United States

Location optimization of strategic alert sites for homeland defense

This research uses a location analysis approach for selecting aircraft alert sites for the defense of important national areas of interest identified by the US Department of Defense. Solutions are generated in a two step approach where the minimum number of sites is first identified using the location set covering problem and then the result is improved by finding the minimum aggregate network distance or p-median solution from the alternate optimal solutions to the LSCP. This approach also identifies the p-center solution to the problem ensuring equitable response to all areas of interest. Sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the impact of altering aircraft launch and flying times on the number of required alert sites and the amount of coverage provided by selecting fewer locations. Results indicate a significant increase in the number of alert locations needed in comparison to original military estimates. The research points out significant implications about future military base closure decisions and the trade-offs between cost and required response times of aircraft in a defense emergency.Decision making/process Location Optimization Set covering Allocation