An analysis of fuel efficiency as a key performance parameter for military aircraft acquisitions
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Authors
Young, Laurence Martin
Subjects
Fuel Efficiency
Key Performance Parameters
Key Performance Parameters
Advisors
Whitaker, Lyn R.
Date of Issue
2002-09
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The Acquisition Management System (AMS) of the Department of Defense
(DoD) is established to ensure that the needs of the warfighter are fulfilled in the most
cost-effective manner possible. The establishment of Key Performance Parameters
(KPPs) on Operational Requirements Documents (ORDs) ensures that critical measures
of performance are continuously monitored as the identification of a military requirement
becomes a fulfilled capability. Threshold values for KPPs identified during an
acquisition determine the minimum acceptable level of performance. Failure to meet the
threshold level of an individual KPP is grounds for program cancellation. The Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) has mandated that all defense acquisition programs
should be kept to a maximum of eight for any individual program. Due to the multifaceted
aspect of modern military aircraft acquisition programs, frequently there are
numerous parameters of critical importance. For this reason, any repetition of measure
between KPPs must be minimized. The decision of the Principal Deputy Undersecretary
of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (PUSD (AT&L)) to include fuel
efficiency as a KPP on all future acquisitions is an unnecessary exercise for military
aircraft. This thesis develops a model in which multiple aircraft are examined flying
different mission profiles carrying different weapon payloads. Strong relationships
between factors such as combat radius, payload and on-station endurance versus fuel
efficiency are demonstrated by regression analysis of the model output. Consequently,
any measure of fuel efficiency as a KPP is shown to be redundant. Furthermore, the
methodology developed in this thesis may have further uses for the development of
logistics planning factors for present and future military aircraft applications.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Operations Research (OR)
Organization
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xviii, 110 p. : ill. ;
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.