Performance Evaluation of a Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) Using Discrete Event Simulation

摘要

Forward arming and refueling point (FARP) operations were developed to reduce the time between turns for helicopters while conducting missions. The FARP has proven to save time and increase the time-on-target for each aircraft sortie. This time-saving FARP configuration has been used by aviation units for many years. While in many cases the FARP setup is determined based on several factors, typically a thorough analysis is not completed to determine the best configuration for the FARP. A FARP may not provide adequate points to meet mission turn-around, or maybe a FARP has too many points, increasing the FARP footprint and increasing its vulnerability. Determining the optimal FARP configuration could provide substantial benefits to FARP operations. The research showed that the throughput of the FARP is dependent on several different variables. In most cases, the throughput of the FARP increased with increases in points, aircraft, and enemy. However, the research showed that the FARP as a system eventually becomes constrained by service time, and the FARP reaches a maximum throughput in a 24-hour period. Understanding this maximum capacity can help a planner determine how many FARPs would be needed for different mission sets. This research also provides planning charts that can be used for actual mission planning and a model in which the planning factors can be changed to produce new charts for mission planning.