Mathematical mechanisms have recently been proposed to address large scale optimization problems an which optimal or nearly optimal allocations of a haerarchically organized collection of assets to a hierarchically organized set of objectives are to be identified. This paper describes an automated decision aid that uses the Extended Dependency Model (EDM) for evaluation of costs and benefits within hierarchical structures and a Genetic Algorithm ( G A ) for optimitation. Design of a graphical user interface to support user formulation of asset allocation problems involving complex hierarchical structures of assets and objectives is described, and examples involving tasking of aircraft assets in tactical scenarios are presented.The asset-to-objective allocation problem begins with a collection of elementary assets CBI, ..., B,) and 'Me Larkin is also affiliated with the Department of Applied gW. Moran is also affiliated with the Discipline of Mathematics; Flinders University of South Australia; Adelaide, 5001 a set of elementary objectives { T' , ..., Tn}. Each assetBj has an importance Ri associated with it, and each These importances will generally be evaluated indi-Mathematics; Brown University; Providence, RI 02912.