Acquisition strategies for aging aircraft modernizing the Marine Corps' CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopter

Abstract

This thesis explores various acquisition and contracting issues relevant to the proposed United States Marine Corpsα CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter modernization. The research includes a preliminary cost and operational effectiveness analysis that identifies critical requirements issues and potential acquisition and contracting pitfalls. Cost and effectiveness modeling draws on multi-attribute decision analysis and simulation software to capture the complexities and uncertainties inherent in this modernization program. Based upon this analysis, literature research and interviews with acquisition managers and industry professionals, pertinent issues for developing an acquisition strategy are analyzed and discussed. Some acquisition strategy issues analyzed include risk management, cultural and institutional obstacles to success, competition, integrated contract management, opportunities for tailoring and streamlining, opportunities for exploiting the most recent revision of the Department of Defense 5000 Series, contractor logistic support, operating and support cost reduction and control and finally, political considerations. Various incentive arrangement structures are suggested to ensure programmatic success. Lessons and methodologies that can be extrapolated from this case study to other aging aircraft modernization programs are identified to aid in developing other acquisition strategies.