Comanche Crew Station Development - helicopter design

Program Manager, Sept, 2000 by Deborah J. Chase, Robert R. Copeland, Ronald J. Ferrell

Comanche RAH-66 -- Classic Example of Simulation Based Acquisition (SBA)

The Comanche team's use of modeling and simulation tools to evaluate the physical and cognitive aspects of the Comanche cockpit is a classic example of SBA techniques. The simulations enhance user participation in the design process and support process improvement initiatives. The combination of these tools and earlier, continuous user involvement in the design process results in prompt identification and resolution of potential design problems and prevents cost and schedule impacts from significant problems found late in a program's life cycle.

The Comanche team's efforts will ensure that the EMD aircraft are ready for user testing, and will result in a far superior Comanche product at Milestone III.

Editor's Note: The authors welcome questions and comments on this article. Contact Chase at chased@comanche.redstone.army.mil; Copeland at bob.copeland@comanche.redstone.army.mil; and Ferrell at ferrellr@comanche.redstone.army.mil.

Chase is the Product Manager Comanche Crew Support Systems, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. She is a graduate of PMC 95-1, DSMC Copeland, a human factors engineer with System Studies and Simulatian, Inc., and Ferrell, a Crew Station Integrator with Veridian, Inc. bath support the Comanche Crew Support Systems Project Management Office at Redstone.

NEW COTS AND COMMERCIAL ITEM GUIDE RELEASED

The new Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) and Commercial Item Guide, Commercial Item Acquisition: Considerations and Lessons Learned, was published online July 24. Released by Assistant Secretary of Defense (Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence) Arthur L. Money, and Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) Dr. Jacques S. Gansler, the Guide is designed to assist DoD consumers in acquiring and supporting commercial items.

According to both officials, "We [DoD] must expand the use of commercial items in DoD systems so we can leverage the massive technology investments of the private sector; reap the benefits of reduced cycle times; faster insertion of new technologies; lower life cycle costs; greater reliability and availability; and support from a robust industrial base ... We encourage you to learn from it and use it as you design your acquisition strategies."

Editor's Note: The Guide may be downloaded from the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition Reform) Web site at www.acq.osd.mil/ar.>

COPYRIGHT 2000 Defense Acquisition University Press

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