Integrated scheduling optimization of carrier-based aircraft deck operation for comprehensive efficiency

An aircraft carrier's formidable combat capability relies on sorties, with efficient deck operations as the core to enhance sortie and recovery capabilities. First, this study develops an integrated mathematical model for carrier-based aircraft deployment, sortie, and maintenance scheduling to assist decision-makers in formulating sorties and coordinating resource allocation (e.g., personnel, equipment), aiming to optimize the comprehensive effectiveness index of integrated carrier-based aircraft scheduling. Second, a hybrid multi-layer coded genetic algorithm (HMCGA) integrated with heuristic rules is proposed; it uses four-layer coding to resolve inter-sub-process coupling and supports integrated carrier-based aircraft scheduling, covering hangar transfer, deck transfer, aircraft maintenance support, and sortie execution. Then, case simulation shows the proposed model and algorithm effectively improve operational effectiveness and ensure accuracy. Finally, comparisons of 50 independent simulation results (PSO, DE, WOA, CPLEX) effectively validate HMCGA's superiority and universality in solving integrated carrier-based aircraft scheduling problems across fleet scales, further confirming the model and algorithm's reliability.