Military Airframe Costs

Military Airframe Costs PDF Author: Obaid Younossi
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 9780833030368
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 141

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Book Description
In recent years, a number of attempts have been made to estimate the cost of future weapon systems toward the goal of optimizing acquisition policy. This report focuses specifically on the effects of material mix, manufacturing techniques, and geometric part complexity on the cost of military airframes. It begins by offering background information on those materials that are most critical to airframe manufacture and on the relative advantages of both traditional and evolving part fabrication techniques. It then proceeds to a quantitative analysis of the cost implications of various materials and manufacturing techniques on airframe production, drawing both from an industry survey and from analysis of industry data. The data thus derived are then integrated with those of a comprehensive historical database. The report concludes that composites, while offering a number of advantages over metals in airframe manufacture, are generally associated with higher costs across a range of categories. At the same time, it concludes that while new manufacturing technologies hold the potential to diminish airframe manufacturing costs, the increased airframe complexity of future fighter aircraft may well offset this advantage. The report recommends that cost analysts remain abreast of changes in industry practice so that they may more accurately gauge the potential effects of such changes on future airframe costs.

Military Airframe Costs

Military Airframe Costs PDF Author: Obaid Younossi
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 9780833030368
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 141

Get Book Here

Book Description
In recent years, a number of attempts have been made to estimate the cost of future weapon systems toward the goal of optimizing acquisition policy. This report focuses specifically on the effects of material mix, manufacturing techniques, and geometric part complexity on the cost of military airframes. It begins by offering background information on those materials that are most critical to airframe manufacture and on the relative advantages of both traditional and evolving part fabrication techniques. It then proceeds to a quantitative analysis of the cost implications of various materials and manufacturing techniques on airframe production, drawing both from an industry survey and from analysis of industry data. The data thus derived are then integrated with those of a comprehensive historical database. The report concludes that composites, while offering a number of advantages over metals in airframe manufacture, are generally associated with higher costs across a range of categories. At the same time, it concludes that while new manufacturing technologies hold the potential to diminish airframe manufacturing costs, the increased airframe complexity of future fighter aircraft may well offset this advantage. The report recommends that cost analysts remain abreast of changes in industry practice so that they may more accurately gauge the potential effects of such changes on future airframe costs.

Software Cost Estimation and Sizing Methods

Software Cost Estimation and Sizing Methods PDF Author: Shari Lawrence Pfleeger
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 9780833037138
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 132

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Book Description
Recommends an approach to improving the utility and accuracy of software cost estimates by exposing uncertainty (in understanding the project) and reducing the risks associated with developing the estimates. The approach focuses on characteristics of the estimation process (such as which methods and models are most appropriate for a given situation) and the nature of the data used (such as software size), describing symptoms and warning signs of risk in each factor, and risk-mitigation strategies.

Historical Cost Growth of Completed Weapon System Programs

Historical Cost Growth of Completed Weapon System Programs PDF Author: Mark V. Arena
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 0833039253
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 74

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Book Description
This report is one of a series from a RAND Project AIR FORCE project, "The Cost of Future Military Aircraft: Historical Cost Estimating Relationships and Cost Reduction Initiatives." The purpose of the project is to improve the tools used to estimate the costs of future weapon systems. It focuses on how recent technical, management, and government policy changes affect cost. This report focuses on the accuracy of cost estimates. For our analysis, we used a very specific sample of Selected Acquisition Report (SAR) data, namely only programs that are complete or are nearly so. The analysis indicates a systematic bias toward underestimating the costs and substantial uncertainty in estimating the final cost of a weapon system. In contrast to the previous literature, the cost growth was higher than previously observed. We also found few correlations with cost growth, but observed that programs with longer duration had greater cost growth and electronics programs tended to have lower cost growth. Although there were some differences in the mean cost growth factors among the military departments, the differences were not statistically significant. While newer programs appear to have lower cost growth, this trend appears to be due to factors other than acquisition policies.

Do Joint Fighter Programs Save Money?

Do Joint Fighter Programs Save Money? PDF Author: Mark A. Lorell
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 9780833079329
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
These appendixes explain the methodology used in an analysis of whether multi-service joint aircraft acquisition programs actually save Life Cycle Cost.

The United States Air Force and the Culture of Innovation, 1945-1965

The United States Air Force and the Culture of Innovation, 1945-1965 PDF Author: Stephen B. Johnson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 308

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Book Description


The Journal of Cost Analysis

The Journal of Cost Analysis PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cost accounting
Languages : en
Pages : 470

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Book Description


Impossible Certainty

Impossible Certainty PDF Author:
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 083303863X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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Book Description
This report is one of a series from a RAND Project AIR FORCE project, "The Cost of Future Military Aircraft: Historical Cost Estimating Relationships and Cost Reduction Initiatives."

How Much Is Enough?

How Much Is Enough? PDF Author: Alain C. Enthoven
Publisher: Rand Corporation
ISBN: 0833048147
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 395

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Book Description
Originally published in 1971, and now published with a new foreword, this is a book of enduring value and lasting relevance. The authors detail the application, history, and controversies surrounding the Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System (PPBS), used to evaluate military needs and to choose among alternatives for meeting those needs.

Lessons Learned from the F/A-22 and F/A-18 E/F Development Programs

Lessons Learned from the F/A-22 and F/A-18 E/F Development Programs PDF Author: Obaid Younossi
Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society
ISBN: 9780833037497
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 102

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Book Description
How can the Air Force and the other services profit from the experience of these two programs? Although the F/A-18E/F is an upgrade of an existing airframe and the F/A-22 is a new platform, the authors believe their divergent histories have lessons to teach acquisition decisionmakers. The authors present a history of the two programs and conclude that decisionmakers can reduce risk and improve acquisition by taking several steps, including setting realistic schedule and cost estimates and establishing a stable and experienced development team.

Air Force Journal of Logistics

Air Force Journal of Logistics PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 200

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Book Description