2011-MT09

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Enhanced Cost Analysis in Support of Aerospace Corporation’s Decision Support Framework (DSF)

Management Track

MT09_Enhanced Acquisition Analysis for Decision Support Framework

Abstract:

Since its inception fifty years ago, the Aerospace Corporation has been supporting government decision making in many programs and at different levels. An objective technical analysis employing subject matter experts using many tools, models, and methodologies is the backbone of Aerospace’s Decision Support Framework. Strong customer demand for timely analysis and advances in modeling capabilities have enabled introduction of fast, concurrent, engineering processes into decision support. The Concept Design Center (CDC) and Concurrent Program Definition Environment (CPDE) engines were built to enhance timeliness of design and program definition processes. Increased complexity of space enterprise and associated decision-making are now creating demand for enterprise-level decision support that requires system-of-system analysis and cross-mission tradeoffs. This open-model decision support framework employs layered approach to capability evaluation that encompasses technical, programmatic, operational, enterprise, and national levels. This paper briefly describes current DSF modeling activities while focusing on the cost, schedule and risk analyses part of the framework. It will show how traditional space segment costing has been expanded into an acquisition strategy evaluation that supports our Air Force, NRO and other customers with an enhanced and needed program level assessment. Sample products from past studies are given to illustrate current DSF capabilities.

Author(s):

Mel Broder
The Aerospace Corporation
Melvin A. Broder is a Senior Project Leader at The Aerospace Corporation working in the Systems Planning and Engineering Group. In this capacity he supports the Air Force’s Developmental Planning Directorate at SMC and has developed cost models for the Aerospace Concept Design Center. Prior to working in the aerospace industry he was an Instructor of Economics at La Verne College. He earned a B.S. in Economics from CCNY and a M.S. in Economics, specializing in econometrics from USC.

Lubo B. Jocic
The Aerospace Corporation
Dr. Lubo B. Jocic is a Principal Engineer in the Development Planning and Projects organization of the Aerospace Corporation. He has over thirty years of industrial and academic experience in architecting, designing, and evaluating complex systems for communications, navigation, radar, sensing, and control. While practicing simplicity, he enjoyed challenges of complex systems at Aerospace, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and US Department of Energy. He taught electrical and systems engineering courses at Case Western Reserve University and University of Southern California. He was introduced to electrical and systems engineering at Universities of Belgrade and Santa Clara.

Inki A. Min
The Aerospace Corporation
Inki A. Min is a Principal Engineering Specialist in the Architecture and Design Subdivision, where has been leading and performing system level analyses of various National Security Space and NASA projects. He has been active in the design, analysis and evaluation of spacecraft, launch vehicles, and broader systems. He has a B.S in Aerospace Engineering from UCLA, a M.S. in Aero/Astro from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in Aeronautics from California Institute of Technology.