Determination of the Timeline for U.S. Army Aviation Systems to Reach Operational Obsolescence Following Termination of Modernization Funding

Abstract

Identifying, countering, and preventing operational obsolescence is a challenging but vital task for personnel involved in the design, acquisition, and support of military equipment. In this thesis, I define the concept of operational obsolescence and show quantitative relationships between modernization funding timelines and operational obsolescence. Only if we truly understand obsolescence can the U,S, Army best combat its onset and effects. I use example data from both legacy and current Army Aviation Systems to draw conclusions about the impacts of particular modernization timelines on the various forms of obsolescence that cause operational obsolescence. I then make recommendations concerning the optimal modernization strategies for current and future aviation systems in order to facilitate the Army's ability to field and sustain the most tactically and logistically superior weapon systems possible. Using first principles, I construct Life Models based on hazard functions for each of the different forms of obsolescence. I then combine these models into an overall model, and discuss design of a data system to estimate model parameters.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA417438

Entities

People

  • Ron D

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Armored Personnel Carriers
  • Army Aviation
  • Attack Helicopters
  • Electronic Components
  • Radio Equipment
  • Reliability
  • Second World War
  • United States
  • Utility Aircraft
  • Warfare
  • Weapon Systems
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Critical Infrastructure Protection in CBRN and WMD Threats.
  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies