An Automated Airframe Production Cost Model,

Abstract

This paper is dedicated to developing a better understanding of the factors and forces that determine weapons system cost during production. Here we report on a tool that provides timely estimates of the cost impacts of program policy decisions. This tool was developed from theoretical principles. The economists production function was incorporated into a model which addressed the realities of program management. The model uses the calculus of variations to include the production cost drivers of learning by doing, learning over time, the speed of the production line and production line length. It is estimated from data on the C-141 program and tested on other Air Force programs. This work is fully documented in Cost Functions for Airframe Production Programs a report prepared for the Air Force Business Research Management Center and the Office of Naval Research by Womer and Gulledge. This paper concentrates on the results and applications of that study. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1983
Accession Number
ADP002787

Entities

People

  • N. K. Womer

Organizations

  • Clemson University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Force
  • Airframes
  • Calculus
  • Calculus Of Variations
  • Cost Models
  • Costs
  • Learning
  • Military Research
  • Production
  • Program Management
  • Research Management

Readers

  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Systems Analysis and Design