Use of the WASPAS Method to Select Suitable Helicopters for Aerial Activity Carried Out by the Military Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Using a multi-criteria decision support method (WASPAS) to analyze and rank alternatives, this article proposes a method to assist in the selection of helicopter models that are the most suitable for police air activity in the State of Rio de Janeiro. A robust technical basis for defining the essential requirements of an aircraft is established, and solutions that can ensure the effective and safe execution of missions are indicated. Helicopter models were evaluated by considering predefined criteria, and the weights of these criteria were attributed using a questionnaire that was administered to pilots and aerostatic operators of Public Air Units (UAP) in several states of the federation. As a result of the evaluation of the 15 helicopter models used by police services in the State of Rio de Janeiro, the modeling with the WASPAS method ranked the Sikorsky UH-60 (Black Hawk) model in first place, the Leonardo AW 139 model in second place, and the Bell 412 model in third place. Based on the available data, we suggest that a comparative study integrating the Entropy and CRITIC methods be conducted to measure the weights of the criteria associated with the application of other multi-criteria techniques, such as COMET, MACAB, SPOTIS, VIKOR, SAPEVO, and PROMETHEE.