Acquisition Management through Digital Integration.
Abstract
The Purpose of this study project was to understand the impact of digital technology on the management of tactical guided weapons and to formulate management considerations for future procurements by investigating the GBU-15 program and developmental concepts. This was accomplished by an expansion of the writer's personal knowledge and background in the area through data collection from Government and Industrial sources and through interviews at Hq USAF, Hq AFSC, and the Armament Development and Test Center (ADTC). Digital integration was found to have distinct advantages over traditional analog concepts in terms of cost, operational flexibility and growth potential. However, the introduction of digital technology into a system impacts a number of acquisition management parameters. These include procurement, life cycle costs, the logistics/maintenance philosophy, and software management. Special attention is required in each of these areas during system development due to the use of software change as the integrating function. The digital integration concept applies to other types of systems such as aerial targets, aircraft avionics, and remotely piloted vehicles. The study conclusions are that system integration through digital processing is the key to cost effective development and deployment of DOD weapon systems. A significant learning process must take place within the Defense establishment to facilitate employment of this new management concept. Procurement procedures should be established to insure effective competition among contractors for digitally integrated systems. Digital integration has the potential for tri-Service application.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA037986
Entities
People
- Lawrence Francis Sokolowski
Organizations
- Defense Systems Management College