Helicopter Fleet Mix

In Fall 1975, the Navy proposed that the Marines procure a modified Army helicopter. The objective was to be able to mount airborne naval supported amphibious operations deep into coastal regions with fewer overseas bases. The aircraft had to deliver a squad to an inland landing site at 3,000 feet altitude and 90 degrees F and return fast enough to deliver a second wave in 90 minutes. The Marines were already buying a new version UH-1 helicopter for this mission. Consequently, a one month ad-hoc study was directed to study all available and yet-to-be designed helicopters. American Power Jet (APJ) had developed some timely techniques and so was provided a unique opportunity to support a study with some rigorous analysis in time to influence decisions.The procedures assembled were straightforward. Each helicopter's performance specifications were converted to an envelope of payload at representative altitudes, temperatures, and radii. Payload and cost/effectiveness were then tabulated, on a mini-computer, yielding relative indices for each altitude-temperature-radius combination. Since scenarios are uncertain and no subset of helicopters dominated the others in more than a fraction of scenarios, the game-theoretic approach was applied to the table of indices. (An LP module had been developed which was readily converted for game theory.)The results were startling but convincing. The UH-1 procurement was not cost/effective. This was made graphic to top management by comparing UH-1 payloads with the game-theoretic solution for equivalent cost units under the Marine Doctrine scenario. The Commandant cancelled the UH-1 procurement and substituted a CH-46 modification thereby greatly increasing capability.