Search results
1 – 10 of 27Richard N. Brenner, Patrick F. Jones, Christopher J. Spratt, Michael T. Schardt and R. Coleen Thornton
The development of the flight station of the C‐130J variant of the C‐130 military airlift aircraft is discussed. The development effort began with research and development…
Abstract
The development of the flight station of the C‐130J variant of the C‐130 military airlift aircraft is discussed. The development effort began with research and development projects in the early 1980s. Following this was a series of related research and technology integration efforts under contract to the US Government in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Finally, detailed design of the C‐130J in a formal development program began in 1992. The technologies that were integrated into the C‐130J flight station that made it possible to reduce the flight station crew from four (pilot, copilot, navigator, and flight engineer) to two (pilot and copilot) are reviewed.
Details
Keywords
Jonathan Slottje, Jason Anderson, John M. Dickens and Adam D. Reiman
Pilot upgrade training is critical to aircraft and passenger safety. This study aims to identify variances in the US Air Force C-130J pilot upgrade training based on geographic…
Abstract
Purpose
Pilot upgrade training is critical to aircraft and passenger safety. This study aims to identify variances in the US Air Force C-130J pilot upgrade training based on geographic location and provide a model to enhance policy that will impact future pilot training efforts that lower cost and increase operator quality and proficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
This research employed a mixed-method approach. First, the authors collected data and analyzed 90 C-130J pilots' aviation records and then contextualized this analysis with interviews of experts. Finally, the authors present a modified version of Six Sigma's define–measure–analyze–improve–control (DMAIC) that identifies and reduces the variances in C-130J pilot training, translating into higher quality outcomes.
Findings
The results indicate significant statistical variances across geographically separated C-130J pilot training organizations. This leads some organizations to have higher proficiency levels in specific tasks and others with comparative deficiencies. Additionally, the data analysis in this study enabled a recommended number of flight hours in several distinct categories that should be obtained before upgrading a pilot to aircraft commander to enhance standards.
Research limitations/implications
This research was limited to C-130J pilot upgrades, but these results can be implemented within any field that utilizes hours as a measure of experience. Implications from this research can be employed to scope policy that will influence pilot training requirements across all airframes in civilian and military aviation.
Originality/value
This research proposes a process improvement methodology that could be immediately implemented within the C-130J community and, more importantly, in any upgrade training where humans advance into higher echelons of a profession.
Details
Keywords
Nathan J. Carlson, Adam. D. Reiman, Robert E. Overstreet and Matthew A. Douglas
The United States Air Force often provides effective airlift for cargo distribution, but is at times inefficient. This paper aims to address the under-utilization of military…
Abstract
Purpose
The United States Air Force often provides effective airlift for cargo distribution, but is at times inefficient. This paper aims to address the under-utilization of military airlift cargo compartments that plagues the airlift system.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors examine seven techniques designed to increase cargo compartment utilization and increase airlift utilization rates. The techniques were applied through load planning software to 30 real-world movements consisting of 159 sorties. They then ran each post-technique movement through a modeled flight environment to obtain cycle movement data. The metrics gained from both the load planning software and the modeled environment were regressed to provide statistical understanding regarding how well each technique influenced cost savings.
Findings
The results showed a 24 per cent elimination of aircraft required and a savings of $14.5m. Extrapolation of the authors’ findings to four years of airlift mission data revealed an estimated annual savings of $1.6bn.
Originality/value
This research effort provides multiple options to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of military airlift.
Details
Keywords
Abstract
Details
Keywords
Keith F. Snider and Rene G. Rendon
This paper proposes a conceptual framework for the study of public procurement policy. It reviews policy-related writings by public procurement scholars and assesses these works…
Abstract
This paper proposes a conceptual framework for the study of public procurement policy. It reviews policy-related writings by public procurement scholars and assesses these works from the perspective of their contributions to generalized understandings of public procurement policy. Selected tools and concepts from the policy sciences are applied to propose a model to illuminate unique aspects of public procurement policy in ways that will facilitate its study. The paper concludes by discussing some recent actions, trends, and issues from the U.S defense procurement sector in terms of the framework. Models such as the one proposed in this paper will contribute to enhanced approaches to procurement policy analysis by scholars, as well as to informed and sophisticated policy implementation by practitioners.
Abstract
Details
Keywords
Unison Industries has been awarded a contract by the US Government to supply augmentor igniter plugs for the F100 engine. The F100 engine powers the F‐15 and F‐16 air superiority…
Abstract
Unison Industries has been awarded a contract by the US Government to supply augmentor igniter plugs for the F100 engine. The F100 engine powers the F‐15 and F‐16 air superiority fighter aircraft. The contract is valued at over US$500,000, including options.
Abstract
Details
Keywords
Erin T. Ryan, David R. Jacques, Jonathan D. Ritschel and Christine M. Schubert
For decades, the Department of Defense (DoD) has employed numerous reporting and monitoring tools for characterizing the acquisition cost estimates of its programs. These tools…
Abstract
For decades, the Department of Defense (DoD) has employed numerous reporting and monitoring tools for characterizing the acquisition cost estimates of its programs. These tools have led to dozens of studies thoroughly documenting the magnitude and extent of DoD acquisition cost growth. However, little attention has been paid to the behavior of the other main cost component of a system's life cycle cost: Operating and Support (O&S) costs. Consequently, the DoD has little knowledge regarding the accuracy of O&S cost estimates or how that accuracy changes over time. In a previous paper, the authors described an analytical methodology for remedying this deficiency via a study to characterize the historical accuracy of O&S cost estimates. The results are presented here, and indicate there tend to be large errors in DoD O&S cost estimates, and that the accuracy of the estimates improves little over time