An Analysis of Piece Part Commonality in an Aircraft Avionics System.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine if worthwhile cost savings could be obtained by the Royal Australian Air Force by considering commonality of piece part components during the acquisition of a new aircraft avionics system. It had two basic objectives: Determine if common component procurement could be reduced during a new system acquisition, and thus provide cost savings for the RAAF; and 2) Determine a method that would allow a comparison to be made, between the savings gained and aircraft availability lost, as a result of not procuring and aircraft availability lost, as a result of not procuring unique components associated with the new system. It was found that considerable immediate and long term cost savings could be obtained if the policy was changed so that only essential common components were purchased. It was recommended that common components be purchased coincident with the new system only when the subsequent demand rate would exceed the inventory holdings. A simple mathematical model was developed that allows the the determination of the effect of not procuring unique components on aircraft operational availability. Future procurements should use this model and then, on an individual project or system basis, the potential cost savings with the expected reduction in aircraft availability should be compared to determine the level or number of unique components procured with the new system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA188003
Entities
People
- Geoffrey E. Tasker
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology