SHOULD A PRODUCTION RATE VARIABLE BE INCLUDED IN MILITARY AIRCRAFT LEARNING CURVES? EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Learning curves are a core analytical method employed by cost analysts to estimate weapon system production costs. This study examines United States Air Force aircraft programs and compares the traditional (e.g., Unit Theory) learning curve model to a production rate learning curve model. While...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Regional Department of Defense Resources Management Studies
2023-10-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Defense Resources Management |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.jodrm.eu/issues/Volume14_issue2/4_Ahern%20Ritschel.pdf |
| Summary: | Learning curves are a core analytical method employed by cost analysts
to estimate weapon system production costs. This study examines United
States Air Force aircraft programs and compares the traditional (e.g., Unit
Theory) learning curve model to a production rate learning curve model.
While there are some previous studies examining production rate models,
one novelty of this research is the size of the dataset, which comprises the
largest military examination to date. The results suggest the production rate
model outperforms the traditional learning curve model. Additionally, the
analysis identifies the post-Initial Operational Capability (IOC) time period
as the preferred milestone in the life cycle to employ the production rate
model. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2068-9403 |