Use of LCOM ATK requires an input dataset describing the operational unit, weapon system, maintenance concept, and mission schedule. This includes specifying the number of aircraft and operating locations, the components which comprise the weapon system, the pre-sortie and post-sortie processes and activities required for operation and maintenance, level of repair and associated support equipment and facilities, corresponding personnel and spares levels, and the flying schedule.
The weapon system is specified in terms of a hierarchical breakdown usually in terms of Work Unit Code (WUC) or a similar structure and includes corresponding failure rates and spares levels. Pre-sortie and post-sortie processes and activities are specified in terms of a network of tasks and include time and resources (personnel, parts/spares, support equipment, facilities) required for task completion.
LCOM ATK offers great flexibility in defining the level of detail for the simulation. A single operational unit or squadron can be modeled, or the analyst may specify units at multiple locations including multiple aircraft types. LCOM ATK does not require that the weapon system be defined to any particular level of detail. Components may be modeled or not to accommodate analysis objectives as can the depth to which components can be individually defined. For example one component can be modeled to the 5-digit level, while others can be modeled to the 3-digit level or not modeled at all.
Task networks are typically defined to include processes for pre-sortie launch, post-sortie recover, and scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Additional flexibility exists to accommodate modeling of weapon system configurations, deferred maintenance, cannibalization, task priority and preemption, and resource substitution.
Flexibility exists to model usual levels of repair for flight-line, shop, depot, or any unique situation to accommodate analysis objectives. Task network structure offers typical programming constructs to support highly detailed networks involving variables, branching, looping, subroutines, etc.
LCOM ATK provides over 200 output statistics which detail and summarize simulation results. A collection of several pre and post processors are available to assist analysts in review, analysis, and documentation of simulation results. They include tools for graphical display of task networks, debugging and profiling of model data, and plotting and charting of output statistics.
LCOM ATK has been continually updated and modernized and offers regular releases for bug repair and feature enhancements. A multi-volume set of documentation is maintained. LCOM ATK has been enhanced to offer support for multiple CPU cores and parallel processing. A completely revised user interface was recently introduced which offers a modern software suite of integrated support tools, enhanced simulation control, and features for study configuration management. Other enhancements include the ability to explicitly track and report availability metrics such as operational and material availability, as well to track various levels of reliability and maintainability.
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