Optimizing the Placement of Fighter Aircraft Squadrons Using the Set Covering Problem (SCP) Method in Indonesia

Abstract

Layout and facility planning are analysis activities, forming concepts, designing systems, and realizing systems for producing goods, services, or military. Indonesia, which has direct borders with three countries, means that Indonesia is often infiltrated. Apart from Indonesia having a limited budget for implementing its work processes, its main problem is determining the location of fighter aircraft squadrons in the national defence system. If the layout of facilities can be planned well, it will determine work efficiency and survival or work success. This research applies mathematical model programming (set covering problem) to overcome this problem with the F-16 Fighting Falcon and Sukhoi SU 27/30 fighter aircraft. Then, the results of the SCP maximize covering capabilities by minimizing the average distance between air bases with the P-Median Problem (PMP). This research shows that the Indonesian Air Force needs an additional seven operational air bases to optimize the covering capabilities of fighter aircraft squadrons. In this study, the total distance travelled by the F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft was 4,479 km, with an average distance of 497.67 km. The total distance travelled by the Sukhoi SU 27/30 fighter aircraft was 11,398 km, with an average distance of 542.76 km. The average time to reach the target was 15.79 minutes. This research can be used to optimize the defence equipment in the National Air Defense System.