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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
Successful Application of RRT to Successful Application of RRT to Reducing Obsolescence & Reducing Obsolescence &
Ownership CostOwnership Cost
ALQ-126BALQ-126B
Navy Logistics Research and Development ProgramNavy Logistics Research and Development Program
Rapid Retargeting (RRT)Rapid Retargeting (RRT)
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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
OutlineOutline
Background RRT Defined Process ALQ-126B System ALQ-126B RRT Experience Results Business Case Other Benefits Summary
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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
BackgroundBackground Desired Life Time for Military Systems is Several Times
Greater Than Obsolescence Cycle for Electronics Results in:
– Supportability problems for both legacy systems and new COTS systems
Typical Solutions:– Life-of-type buys– Qualify alternative parts and / or manufacturing sources– Secondary markets– Component redesign
Typical Solutions Increase Total Ownership Cost
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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
RRT DefinedRRT Defined
VisiCom Approach to Obsolescence: Rapid Retargeting– Capture functionality at CCA or higher (subsystem) level
– Characterize design in software; implement in programmable devices
– Provide form fit and functional replacement for CCAs
Advantages of Rapid Retargeting :– Avoids future obsolescence
– Improves reliability (lower part counts)
– Multiple CCA functionality can be implemented in a single hardware design
– Can re-use software models
– Can add functionality to a given design
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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
RRT ProcessRRT Process Candidate Identification - System or R&D Concept
– Initial screening/discussions, “Quick Look” Submitted to NAVSUP
Preliminary Assessment of candidate systems/concepts
– Potential for solutions via Rapid Retargeting
– Proposed cost and schedule for retargeting
– Business Case Analyses
Detailed Analyses and Designs
– VHDL models, simulations,
Prototype / Proof-of-Concept Hardware
Field Testing
Part Numbers assigned / ECPs / supply system support
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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
The ALQ-126B SystemThe ALQ-126B System DESCRIPTION: Deceptive Electronic Countermeasures
System Providing Increased Aircraft Survivability by Denying Accurate Range and Position Data against Pulse Modulated Air Defense Systems.
ACQUISITION PHASE: Operational/Out of Production APPLICABLE AIRCRAFT: INVENTORY
U. S. NAVY F/A-18, F-14, AV-8B 750
FMS F/A-18,AV-8B 260
PRIME CONTRACTOR: Sanders, A Lockheed Martin Co. Last Contract 3/15/95
FMS:
• CONTRACT: N00383-91-G-220 FFP VALUE: $14.7M
• PRODUCT: 14 AN/ALQ-126B Systems (Delivery Complete) 8 AN/ALQ-164 Pods (Delivery Complete)
• PRIME: Sanders, A Lockheed Martin Co.
• CUSTOMER: Malaysia, Italy, Kuwait
CURRENT SOFTWARE:
OFP 12 Released to Fleet July 1996
UDF 23 Released to Fleet July 1996 ISSUES:
– AV8B ALQ-126B Software
– Parts Obsolescence
ALQ-126B
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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
Previous Study (DMEA) 41 Unique CCA’s; 199 Unique Microcircuits Overall System Health is YELLOW 28 Microcircuits are RED 21 Microcircuits are YELLOW Predicted Health in 2005: 3 CCA’s RED
We had Functionally-Equivalent VHDL Models for 23 of 28 RED Microcircuits 20 of 21 YELLOW Microcircuits
Developed a UniModule That Can Replace Each of 8 Different ALQ-126B CCA’s
ALQ-126B ExperienceALQ-126B Experience
The ALQ-126B UniModule (center)
and 8 Modules it can replace
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Retargeted UniModule has been Validated at NAS JAX
Environmental Testing at NUWC Keyport and Boeing Underway
ECP Package Prepared
Production Validation and FOT&E This Summer
< 1 Year Effort
ALQ-126B UniModuleALQ-126B UniModule
The ALQ-126B UniModule (center)
and 8 Modules it can replace
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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
The Business CaseThe Business Case
The usual assumption is:– “Because of NRE cost, reengineering is the most expensive
alternative to solving the obsolescence problem” But traditional obsolescence solutions (LOT, substitute, etc)
only increase TOC
BUT: Rapid Retargeting of the ALQ-126B– solved obsolescence problems for 8 CCAs
– Significantly Reduced System Total Ownership Costs(TOC)
Independent cost analysis showed RRT solution yielded a benefit to cost ratio of 1.71– Almost qualifies for LECP under BOSS III
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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
The Business CaseThe Business Case
For the AN/ALQ-126 Rapid Retargeting has proven to be
– a desirable technical solution– a viable cost saving alternative– the preferred solution
Doing nothing is not a viable option in the world of obsolescence
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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
The Business Case The Business Case (Cont’d)(Cont’d)
NRE costs are the largest portion of cost to retarget
“So, how do you make RRT cost effective?” The ALQ-126B model
– All cards replaced have usage– 15 years service life remaining– UniModule design
• Reuse VHDL - reduces NRE cost
• $1,500 card replaces $13,000 cards
• Improved reliability - reduced component count
• Eliminate depot repair costs - UniModule consumable
NRE Becomes Investment to Reduce Total Ownership Cost…
as Well as Solving the Obsolescence Problem
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Logisitics ImpactsLogisitics Impacts UniModule becomes a substitute for replacement cards Reduced spares investment - seven fewer line items No change to ATE Minimal change to “I” level maintenance procedures
– Implemented through Avionics Change– Changes to manuals at next routine change release
No changes to maintenance training
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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
SUMMARYSUMMARY
The experience with the ALQ-126B demonstrates
Rapid retargeting is a viable technical solution to component obsolescence
that can be easily implemented
and
Is a cost effective approach that can reduce Total Ownership Cost
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VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION
FundingFunding If you are thinking…
“Rapid Retargeting looks like it could solve my obsolescence problem and reduce my system
ownership costs, but my bare-bones budget will just not support that up-front NRE expense.”
Contact…Navy Logistics Research and Development Program
Jim Fitzgibbon, NAVSUP 4B2UJim Fitzgibbon, NAVSUP 4B2U
(717) 605-1300(717) 605-1300
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Tony Van Houweling
Titan Systems, VisiCom Products Division
858-320-4078
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