A Quantitative Analysis of the Benefits of Prototyping Fixed-Wing Aircraft

Abstract

Prototyping received renewed emphasis in the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act (WSARA) of 2009 and the revision to DoDI 5000.02 that preceded it. One of the intentions of WSARA is to reduce cost growth among acquisition programs. The purpose of this research was to determine if cost growth is reduced for fixed-wing aircraft acquisition programs that used early prototyping (prior to MS B). The research also sought to identify trends between cost growth and schedule or prototyping cost. The research showed no discernible trends. While the research did not reveal a statistically significant reduction in normalized average total acquisition program cost growth, it does offer insight into the need to further clarify acquisition policy guidance.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 14, 2012
Accession Number
ADA563152

Entities

People

  • Charles M. Ryan
  • Walter B. Harvey

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Contracts
  • Cost Estimates
  • Department Of Defense
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Procurement
  • Short Takeoff Aircraft
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Weapon Systems
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Mathematics or Statistics