A Case Study of the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) Program from a Program Management Perspective

A Case Study of the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) Program from a Program Management Perspective PDF

Author: Scott R. Adams

Publisher:

Published: 1999-03-01

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13: 9781423547129

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This research effort focused on the program management issues of the U.S. Marine Corps' Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) Program. The research answered the primary question of what were the critical program management decisions during the early phases of the program and how would an analysis of these decisions affect the future of the AAAV program. Interviews were conducted with key personnel from the AAAV office and General Dynamics Land Systems. Additionally, program documents and other relevant literature were reviewed. The key findings of the research effort concluded that reducing technical risk early in program is critical; Program Managers (PMs) must influence system design as early as possible; physical collocation of Government and contractor personnel facilitates the implementation of integrated Product and Process Development (lPPD) and Integrated Product Teams (lPTs); the use of IPPD and IPTs has helped the AAAV program but personnel need to be trained before implementation; adopting an evolutionary acquisition strategy will help prevent component obsolescence prior to fielding; and PMs should use special contracting provisions to incentivize contractors to reduce total ownership costs.

A Case Study of the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) Program from a Contracting Perspective

A Case Study of the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) Program from a Contracting Perspective PDF

Author: Ronald R. Dalton

Publisher:

Published: 1998-12-01

Total Pages: 139

ISBN-13: 9781423555483

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This research effort focused on the contracting history of the U.S. Marine Corps Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) Program. The research answered the primary question of what were the critical contracting decisions that have been made during the program and how would an analysis of these contracting decisions affect the future of the AAAV program. Interviews were conducted with personnel from the AAAV program office and other Government agencies as well as with contractor employees. Additionally, program documents and other relevant literature was reviewed. The key findings of the research effort conclude that the unique collocation arrangement of the AAAV program office and the contractor should be emulated by other Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs); Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) and the Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) concept is effective in improving communications between the Government and the contractor; and Unique contract clauses used in the Concept Demonstration and Validation contract were effective in incentivizing the contractor. The unique contract clauses examined were: mandatory geographic location of the contractor's facility, collocation of the AAAV program office with the contractor, a Special Design Decision Provision, and contractor cost sharing. The research effort presents recommendations on how these aspects of the AAAV program can be applied to other MDAPs.

Investigation of IPPD

Investigation of IPPD PDF

Author: Travis L. Sutton

Publisher:

Published: 1998-03-01

Total Pages: 109

ISBN-13: 9781423561361

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Both Industry and Government Executives agree that collocation is a successful method of organizing Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) for Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD). While some research has addressed benefits and challenges of implementing collocated-IPTs within Government and Industry organizations, there is a lack of clarity on specific benefits and challenges of collocated-IPIs in a team-based organization. This study examines full-time members' views of collocation regarding the Marine Corps' Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle's (AAAV's) program. The AAAV program is the first major defense acquisition program (MDAP) in the Department of Defense (DoD) to collocate all appropriate full-time employees representing the Government Civilian, General Dynamics--the Contractor, subcontractors, and Marines--the customer. Research methods used to gather data consisted of phone and face-to- face interviews, and a survey. The interviews solicited elaboration on two main issues: (1) specific examples of benefits and challenges of collocation. (2) The survey identified the impact of collocation on specific management processes. (3) Findings show collocation as having a positive impact with strongest areas including: (1) "identifying potential problems," (2) "liaison with customer," and (3) "reducing project cycle time." The results suggest lessons to expand the benefits of collocation on AAAV's performance, and offers a benchmark for other programs implementing collocated-IPTs.

Use of Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis in the Marine Corps Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) Program

Use of Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis in the Marine Corps Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) Program PDF

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1999

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) was an integral part of concept definition for the Marine Corps AAAV program. Three levels of trade studies were performed: (1) whole system trades, (2) subsystem/component trades, and (3) concept selection trades. Whole system trades determined the "best" balance of AAAV "core capability" performance requirements, cost, and weight. Subsystem/component level trades selected specific technologies to meet the performance requirements defined for each "core capability" in the whole system trades. Concept selection trades were used to select the "best" AAAV alternatives(s). Whole system trades began with a mission area analysis that included definition of threat, user/source requirements, and operational & organizational concept(s). Low, moderate, and high target performance levels were then identified for system "core capabilities". Using a Design of Experiments (DOE) approach, functional relationships between the "core capability" target performance level requirements and combat effectiveness, cost, and weight were developed for use in a Multi Criteria Mathematical Programming (MCMP) model. The MCMP model was used to generate a set of non-dominated candidates that were then evaluated using MCDA to select the "best" alternative(s) as defined by "core capability" performance levels. Subsystem/component trades were conducted based on the "core capability" performance level requirements selected in the whole system trades. Each "core capability's" level helped further expand/focus its technology search and evaluation criteria. The set of candidates, now defined by real technologies, was then evaluated using MCDA to select the "best" AAAV alternative(s). This paper will describe the analysis process used for the AAAV whole system, subsystem/component, and concept selection trades.

Analysis of Current Department of Defense Risk Management Practices in Weapon System Acquisition

Analysis of Current Department of Defense Risk Management Practices in Weapon System Acquisition PDF

Author: Robert O. Bailey

Publisher:

Published: 2003-03

Total Pages: 153

ISBN-13: 9781423503675

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This thesis discusses risk in Department of Defense (DoD) weapon systems acquisition. It uses the Marine Corps' Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) as a case study in risk management strategy and techniques. The AAAV will provide the Marine Corps with a fast deploying, over-the-horizon, and waterborne insertion capability. The AAAV's improvements over the currently fielded Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) will provide Marines with a highly survivable and lethal weapon system ashore. Risk is the possibility of damage, injury or loss. The severity of a risk is determined by a combination of both the probability of an unfavorable event occurring and the severity of the event's occurrence. Risks are present in virtually all DoD developmental programs. Programs suffer from risks in technical challenges, unstable system requirements, missing schedule milestones, unpredictable funding and cost overruns. The DoD currently uses techniques to mitigate risks inherent in advanced system development. This thesis analyzes the AAAV's Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PDRR) acquisition phase risk management strategy. The thesis concludes by drawing from the lessons learned in the AAAV program during PDRR and analyzing the application of the lessons learned during the AAAV's current acquisition phase, System Development and Demonstration (SDD).

Analysis and Simulation of the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) Electrical System Architecture

Analysis and Simulation of the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) Electrical System Architecture PDF

Author: Gabriel Beltran

Publisher:

Published: 2000-06-01

Total Pages: 136

ISBN-13: 9781423536918

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) is a high water speed amphibious armored personnel carrier that will replace the current family of Marine Corps amphibious assault vehicles. The AAAV is currently in Phase I of the DOD Acquisition Process. During this phase-extensive development, testing is being conducted and prototypes are being constructed. Ongoing tests of the current electrical system architecture are revealing problems and issues that need to be addressed. Present testing is also revealing the need for a troubleshooting tool that can be used to simulate and test proposed solutions. A distributive computing effort is being conducted with Purdue University in order to provide the Marine Corps a tool where by it can test and evaluate the entire AAAV electrical system architecture. This document provides a general system description of the AAAV, an electrical system architecture overview, and a candidate electrical system description. Testing, modeling, and computer simulation efforts applied to the NBC (Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical) fan/ filter motor drive and battery banks are described and the resulting data analyzed. Current research is investigating an issue regarding energy being forced back into the high power distribution bus due to regeneration from sudden impacts on the vehicle turret. An ultra capacitor bank may be incorporated in the AAAV electrical system in an effort to mitigate the effect of this regenerative energy. Therefore, testing, modeling, and computer simulation of an ultra capacitor is also reported.

An Analysis of Risk Management Methodology Employed Within the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle Acquisition Program

An Analysis of Risk Management Methodology Employed Within the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle Acquisition Program PDF

Author: Paul A. Karafa

Publisher:

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Risks are inherent in the development and acquisition of new weapon systems whose performance requirements surpass those of currently fielded systems. If not anticipated and managed "up front and early" in tne acquisition cycle, these risks can have profound effects on a program's cost and schedule and, ultimately, on the combat effectiveness of the Armed Forces. Current Office of Management and Budget (0MB) and Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition policy requires the Program Manager (PM) to develop and tailor an acquisition strategy for each new program. The strategy must include methods for assessing and managing contractor and Government risks. For the U.S. Marine Corps' Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) acquisition program, development of a risk management methodology is the responsibility of the Direct Reporting Program Manager (DRPM/AAAV). Accordingly, this thesis investigates the risk management methodology employed within the AAAV program, illustrates how this methodology converges with and diverges from risk management methodology prescribed by and/or suggested by the "Body of Knowledge" (B OK) relating to risk management, and analyzes the applicability of the "Spiral Model". This thesis concludes by recommending areas where the BOK and the DRPM's methodology can be enhanced and suggests areas warranting further research.

Acquisition of Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles

Acquisition of Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicles PDF

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1993

Total Pages: 77

ISBN-13:

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The Advanced Amphibious Assault (AAA) Program was the only major acquisition program in the Marine Corps at the time of the audit. The Marine Corps established the AAA Program to develop and procure vehicles to replace the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) that was fielded in 1972. The AAA Program should satisfy mobility and survivability deficiencies in the AAV as well as provide fast assault capability from extended sea ranges. The Marine Corps evaluated seven vehicle alternatives to satisfy the deficiencies in the AAV and planned to develop and procure 951 AAA vehicles. The AAA Program had an estimated research and development cost of $900 million and a procurement cost of $3.8 billion. Initial fielding of the AAA Program was scheduled for calendar year 2003; however, due to delays in selecting the most cost-effective alternative, the initial fielding of a vehicle under the AAA Program slipped.

Modeling and Simulation in Support of Operational Test and Evaluation for the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV)

Modeling and Simulation in Support of Operational Test and Evaluation for the Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) PDF

Author: Jesse A. Kemp

Publisher:

Published: 2001-09-01

Total Pages: 148

ISBN-13: 9781423526094

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

This thesis documents a simulation model developed to assist in the planning of Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of the Marine Corps' Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAAV) The model simulates a platoon of AAAVs in an amphibious assault, using Operational Maneuver From the Sea (OMFTS) techniques, supported by elements of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) aboard amphibious ships offshore, The emphasis of the model is on suitability issues, specifically operational availability, maintainability, and supportability. In particular the effect of logistical support for one AAAV on the ability of the platoon to complete a mission. The purpose of the simulation is to gain insight into important and highly sensitive factors that, when changed slightly, have large effects on the platoon of AAAV's ability to perform its mission. The results of the model show that, the assumed form of the distribution of failure times for a single AAAV is the most important aspect of reliability test data. Simply calculating the mean time to failure (MTTF) from data and using an exponential model is inadequate. Even if an observed or estimated MTTF is within an acceptable requirement threshold level, if it is characterized by a high or even moderate number of infant failure times, then the platoon's ability to perform its mission is substantially impeded. Other factors that are of importance are the procedure by which a failed AAAV is rescued and repaired, and the average length of each repair.

Lanterna Rally - Theme by Grace Themes