Research Brief
New Processes for the Estimation of Military Airframe Costs
Jan 1, 2001
The Effects of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Processes
Format | File Size | Notes |
---|---|---|
PDF file | 5.8 MB | Use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 10 or higher for the best experience. |
Format | List Price | Price | |
---|---|---|---|
Add to Cart | Paperback168 pages | $25.00 | $20.00 20% Web Discount |
In recent years, a number of attempts have been made to estimate the cost of future weapon systems toward the goal of optimizing acquisition policy. This report focuses specifically on the effects of material mix, manufacturing techniques, and geometric part complexity on the cost of military airframes. It begins by offering background information on those materials that are most critical to airframe manufacture and on the relative advantages of both traditional and evolving part fabrication techniques. It then proceeds to a quantitative analysis of the cost implications of various materials and manufacturing techniques on airframe production, drawing both from an industry survey and from analysis of industry data. The data thus derived are then integrated with those of a comprehensive historical database. The report concludes that composites, while offering a number of advantages over metals in airframe manufacture, are generally associated with higher costs across a range of categories. At the same time, it concludes that while new manufacturing technologies hold the potential to diminish airframe manufacturing costs, the increased airframe complexity of future fighter aircraft may well offset this advantage. The report recommends that cost analysts remain abreast of changes in industry practice so that they may more accurately gauge the potential effects of such changes on future airframe costs.
Preface
Figures
Tables
Summary
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments
Acronyms
Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter Two
Material Characteristics
Chapter Three
Manufacturing Techniques
Chapter Four
Airframe Cost Information
Chapter Five
Airframe Cost-Estimating Methodology
Chapter Six
Applying the Results
Appendix A
Stress-Strain Diagram
Appendix B
Aircraft Weight Definitions
Appendix C
Aircraft Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) Levels (From Military Specification 881)
Appendix D
Airframe Development Cost-Estimating Relationships
Appendix E
Subjects of the Three RAND Studies on Industry Initiatives Designed to Reduce the Cost of Producing Military Aircraft
Bibliography
Recommended Reading
The research described in this report was performed under the auspices of RAND's Project AIR FORCE.
This report is part of the RAND Corporation Monograph report series. The monograph/report was a product of the RAND Corporation from 1993 to 2003. RAND monograph/reports presented major research findings that addressed the challenges facing the public and private sectors. They included executive summaries, technical documentation, and synthesis pieces.
This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.