Skunkworks 81 Revisited - An Update on Acquisition Strategy,
Abstract
A paper on competitive prototyping was presented by Mr. William Stansberry, Deputy Product Manager for Armor Training Devices, at the Interservice Industry Conference in December 1981. That paper coined the phrase Skunkworks 81, meaning a combination of the Skunkworks applied to earlier Air Force projects and competitive prototyping in full-scale development. The paper was well received and accurately reported the Conduct of Fire Trainer (COFT) development at that time. The promulgation of the well-trodden DOD Acquisition Initiatives and the much needed emphasis on streamlining the acquisition cycle provide reason for updating Skunkworks 81. The author of this update, recently assigned as Product Manager for Armor Training Devices assesses the results of the COFT application of competitive prototyping and discusses the impact this acquisition strategy has had on transition from development to production for the largest procurement of a training simulator ever negotiated. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADP002759
Entities
People
- J. E. Longhouser
Organizations
- United States Army