Graph Matching and Link Analysis for Dynamic Planning and Execution

Abstract

Abstract : This paper discusses an innovative approach to military campaign strategy; planning; resource allocation, and scheduling based on link analysis, graph matching and mixed linear integer programming. Graph matching explores purely topological aspects of planning and scheduling where the processes can be viewed as a graph. Link analysis explores relations among large numbers of similar or different types of objects. Mixed linear integer programming solves problems containing both integer variable constraints, like aircraft numbers, as well as linear (rational) variable constraints like risk and probability of destruction or success. ATO Link (Air Tasking Order Link Analysis) combines these software technologies to more optimally use resources throughout all phases of the air campaign planning and execution process. These three mature, matrix-based and computationally well-behaved technologies (link analysis, graph matching, and mixed integer programming) have the potential to scale to extremely large plans, while scheduling limited resources more optimally. The ATO Link prototype is based on an effects-based operations (EBO) approach for the aerospace planning domain, but we feel is applicable to all types of planning. This effort has the potential to significantly accelerate the military campaign planning and execution process while exploring more courses of action and maintaining plan rationale. The goal is more proactive, dynamic planning and execution to achieve full spectrum dominance in military operations.