The Readiness–Utilization Trade Space in U.S. Army Aviation: Policy, Decision Behavior, and Information Quality
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Authors
Austin Dennis Semmel
Issue Date
2026-03-06
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
This dissertation investigates how information, readiness metrics, and policy design
jointly shape maintenance and utilization decisions in U.S. Army aviation. Focusing on
AH-64 Apache units, the work examines how OR and usage interact as coupled outcomes of
maintenance capacity and policy design.
The first phase characterizes observed decision behavior. Using a generalized additive
model (GAM), we quantify the relationship between OR, phase maintenance proximity,
and daily aircraft utilization. Results show that while units continue to fly aircraft despite
degraded readiness ratings, they systematically avoid flying aircraft approaching or emerging
from phase maintenance. These patterns reveal implicit prioritization rules not captured by
aggregate readiness metrics and indicate a measurable gap between doctrinal guidance and
observed unit behavior.
Building on these findings, the second phase develops a data-driven framework to compare
the impact of unit-level decision-making on efficiency outcomes. Units are evaluated along
a Pareto frontier defined by OR and flying hours per aircraft, and a self-organizing map
identifies latent decision-making profiles associated with distinct efficiency profiles. The
results show that units operating under similar policy environments can achieve different
performance outcomes on the frontier and that differences in decision behavior help explain
these differences.
The final phase embeds these behaviors within a controlled simulation environment to
assess the operational value of prognostic information. A decision-tree policy, optimized
using a heterogeneous island-model genetic algorithm, is evaluated under varying levels of
remaining useful life (RUL) prediction accuracy. A factorial experimental design isolates
the causal effects of information quality and policy adaptation. The findings show that
performance gains are driven primarily by signal quality and exhibit diminishing returns
beyond moderate prognostic accuracy.
Collectively, this work demonstrates that readiness outcomes emerge from a joint system
of metrics, policies, and information quality. These results provide a principled basis for evaluating
legacy readiness measures and prioritizing investments in data-informed maintenance
capabilities.
Description
Citation
Semmel, Austin Dennis. "The Readiness–Utilization Trade Space in U.S. Army Aviation: Policy, Decision Behavior, and Information Quality." PhD diss., North Carolina State University, 2026. https://www.lib.ncsu.edu/resolver/1840.20/46639
Publisher
North Carolina State University