Implementation of nrmo to study the airlift problem at amc

The airlift problem is a complex transportation problem. The objective is to fit the maximum amount of cargo efficiently on a number of aircraft with different capabilities and transport it from one region to another in the shortest time possible. The available resources and parameters to be modeled within this problem are described. This problem has typically been solved at the Air Mobility Command (AMC) using a simulation tool, AFM (the Airlift Flow Model). NRMO (the NPS/RAND Mobility Optimizer) is a linear optimization model developed by the Naval Postgraduate School and the RAND Corporation for the solution of this problem. Some crucial decision variables and constraints are discussed, as well as how it has been used in airlift analysis at AMC. Finally, analysis of some alternate objective functions is presented. The results produced by NRMO not only provided meaningful insights to airlift operations, but also called into question some assumptions used by AFM. In our experience, NRMO is a solution methodology which can provide quick, invaluable answers to crucial airlift mobility planning questions. These answers can be applied to aid in scheduling and other analyses.