Impacts of Production Rate on Weapon System Costs

Abstract

The cost estimator working for a program office is faced with the dilemma of estimating the impacts of many different quantity profiles, usually stretchouts, with minimal time and limited resources. Many times the estimators of major programs, with yearly multi-billion dollar budgets, are allowed only a few hours to estimate radically different quantity profiles. For this reason, it is essential that the estimators have production rate sensitivity built into their detailed cost estimating methodologies/models. This paper discusses the application of existing and new production rate estimating methodologies. Methodologies available, their proper application, and my assessment of their strengths and weaknesses will be presented. This paper is not intended to exhaust this subject but, if anything, be a catalyst for discussion. Hopefully, this paper and the OSD symposium briefings will provide a forum for open discussion and exchange of ideas, a sharing of methodologies, and a stimulus for further effort, with possible cross service/agency cooperative research.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA215187

Entities

People

  • James D. Dorsett

Organizations

  • Air Force Systems Command

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Business Administration
  • Commerce
  • Contractors
  • Contracts
  • Cost Analysis
  • Department Of Defense
  • Engineering
  • Manufacturing
  • Procurement
  • Production
  • Production Rate
  • Radar
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Weapon Systems

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Educational Psychology
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis