Optimization of Multi-aircraft Collaborative Centralized Loading for Large-batch Air ULDs

Yun-fei LI , Ji-hui XU , Wen-jie TIAN , Zhen ZHAO , Hai-wen JIA , Xiang-ling ZHAO

Science Technology and Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (10) : 4443 -4453.

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Science Technology and Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (10) : 4443-4453 DOI: 10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2503937
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Optimization of Multi-aircraft Collaborative Centralized Loading for Large-batch Air ULDs
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Abstract

A multi-aircraft batch ULD(unit load device) loading optimization model was established, in which constraints such as the unique loading requirements of ULDs, weight limits for aircraft cargo compartments, cumulative interval weight restrictions, and CG (center of gravity) limits were incorporated. The model adopts a multi-objective function, which aims to minimize the number of aircraft sorties used, maximize payload, minimize CG deviation, and ensure continuous loading in the cargo hold. B747 was selected as the ULD loading and transportation platform to test two example scenarios: batch ULD loading and loading with a fixed number of aircraft sorties. Additionally, using Gurobi, the model was validated by solving multiple sets of cases with different weight scales across the various example scenarios. Experiments show that Gurobi effectively solves the proposed model under two case scenarios. For these cases, the average CG deviation is constrained between 1.81%MAC and 2.65%MAC(%MAC represents the mean aerodynamic chord of the aircraft). The average solution time is within 230 s. Thus, the model generates feasible and rational multi-aircraft ULD loading plans. It provides valuable reference for the temporary large-scale ULD loading and transportation in irregular flights.

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air transportation / multi-aircraft cooperative loading / weight and balance / CG(center of gravity) / multi-objective

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Yun-fei LI, Ji-hui XU, Wen-jie TIAN, Zhen ZHAO, Hai-wen JIA, Xiang-ling ZHAO. Optimization of Multi-aircraft Collaborative Centralized Loading for Large-batch Air ULDs. Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(10): 4443-4453 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2503937

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