HOW IMPROVED CORROSION CONTROL PRACTICES IN THE U.S. NAVY'S ARLEIGH BURKE CLASS DESTROYER ENGINEERING SPACES MIGHT ENHANCE SHIP EFFICIENCY WHILE OPERATING

This research attempted to answer how improved corrosion-control practices in the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke Class Destroyer engineering spaces might enhance ship efficiency. It can be confidently stated that effective corrosion control in Arleigh Burke Destroyer engineering spaces clearly enhances ship efficiency. A semi-systematic review of the literature was used as a methodology. Data were mined using a Synthesis Matrix that isolated meta-narratives that were used later in a meta-analysis of the literature. The identified meta-narratives led to eleven emerging patterns. These patterns were condensed into six major themes and finally synthesized into two primary categories: corrosion control and ship efficiency. Although no causal relationships were proven, strong interrelationships were identified. The findings of this research recommend that in order to control corrosion and enhance ship efficiency, two strategies should be followed: 1) an implemented maintenance plan requiring training for the crew in techniques and knowledge acquisition that promote understanding of the science of corrosion and 2) decisions regarding materials selection, surface coatings, and corrosion control should be made with total ownership costs in mind, because for a ship to function efficiently it must be operational a majority of its work life.Lieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Analysis of Lean Initiatives in the Production of Naval Aviators

The Department of the Navy is dealing with shrinking budgets and increased training requirements for the production of Naval Aviators for 4th and 5th generation Navy aircraft. Lean and Six Sigma strategies are routinely used in todays manufacturing processes. The U.S. military is saving billions of dollars by implementing quality improvement methods such as Lean Six Sigma, and these savings could grow even faster as the Department of Defense takes steps to expand these initiatives throughout the armed services. The purpose of this Joint Applied Project is to investigate and study the application of lean thinking in the production of Navy pilots. The Chief of Naval Air Trainings (CNATRA) strategic vision supposes that lean initiatives can be implemented in the training process and has made moves to streamline and create better value in the production of Navy aircrew. This paper will analyze the Naval Aviation Enterprise and CNATRAs lean training initiatives and compare them to typical lean manufacturing initiatives. This paper will also examine current policies and procedures to determine if current lean initiatives are meeting their intended objectives and goals. Further analysis will determine if improvements can be made to lean policies in order to increase efficiency and effectiveness over the entire value stream or aircrew training continuum.http://archive.org/details/analysisofleinit1094517442Lieutenant Commander, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Distance support in-service engineering for the high energy laser

The U.S. Navy anticipates moving to a shipboard high-energy laser program of record in the fiscal year 2018 and achieving an initial operational capability by 2020. The design of a distance support capability within the high-energy laser system was expected to assist the Navy in reaching this goal. This capstone project explored the current Navy architecture for distance support and applied system engineering methodologies to develop a conceptual distance support framework with application to the high-energy laser system. A model and simulation of distance support functions were developed and used to analyze the feasibility in terms of performance, cost, and risk. Results of this capstone study showed that the implementation of distance support for the high-energy laser system is feasible and would reduce the total ownership cost over the life of the program. Furthermore, the capstone shows that moving toward the team’s recommended distance support framework will address current gaps in the Navy distance support architecture and will provide a methodology tailored to modern enterprise naval systems.http://archive.org/details/distancesupporti1094545248Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Modeling Preventive Maintenance in Complex Systems

This thesis presents an explicit consideration of the impacts of modeling decisions on the resulting maintenance planning. Incomplete data is common in maintenance planning, but is rarely considered explicitly. Robust optimization aims to minimize the impact of uncertainty--here, in contrast, I show how its impact can be explicitly quantified. Doing so allows decision makers to determine whether it is worthwhile to invest in reducing uncertainty about the system or the effect of maintenance. The thesis consists of two parts. Part I uses a case study to show how incomplete data arises and how the data can be used to derive models of a system. A case study based on the US Navy\u27s DDG-51 class of ships illustrates the approach. Analysis of maintenance effort and cost against time suggests that significant effort is expended on numerous small unscheduled maintenance tasks. Some of these corrective tasks are likely the result of deferring maintenance, and, ultimately decreasing the ship reliability. I use a series of graphical tests to identify the underlying failure characteristics of the ship class. The tests suggest that the class follows a renewal process, and can be modeled as a single unit, at least in terms of predicting system lifetime. Part II considers the impact of uncertainty and modeling decisions on preventive maintenance planning. I review the literature on multi-unit maintenance and provide a conceptual discussion of the impact of deferred maintenance on single and multi-unit systems. The single-unit assumption can be used without significant loss of accuracy when modeling preventive maintenance decisions, but leads to underestimating reliability and hence ultimately performance impacts in multi-unit systems. Next, I consider the two main approaches to modeling maintenance impact, Type I and Type II Kijima models and investigate the impact of maintenance level, maintenance interval, and system quality on system lifetime. I quantify the net present value obtained of the system under different maintenance strategies and show how modeling decisions and uncertainty affect how closely the actual system and maintenance policy approach the maximum net present value. Incorrect assumptions about the impact of maintenance on system aging have the most cost, while assumptions about design quality and maintenance level have significant but smaller impact. In these cases, it is generally better to underestimate quality, and to overestimate maintenance level

An evidence-based management framework for business analytics

It is said that knowledge is power, yet often, decision makers ignore information that ought to be considered. The phenomenon known as Semmelweis reflex occurs when new knowledge is rejected because it contradicts established norms. The goal of evidence-based management (EBMgt) is to help overcome Semmelweis reflex by integrating evaluated external evidence with stakeholder preference, practitioner experiences, and context. This evaluated external evidence is the product of scientific research. In this paper, we demonstrate an EBMgt business analytics model that uses computer simulation to provide scientific evidence to help decision makers evaluate equipment replacement problems, specifically the parallel machine replacement problem. The business analytics application is demonstrated in the form of a fleet management problem for a state transportation agency. The resulting analysis uses real-world data allowing decision makers to unfreeze their current system, move to a new state, and re-freeze a new system

Supply Chain Planning with Incremental Development, Modular Design, and Evolutionary Updates

Proceedings Paper (for Acquisition Research Program)The policy specified by DoDI 5000.02 (DoD, 2008, December 8) prescribes an evolutionary acquisition strategy. Products with long lifecycles such as torpedoes, evolutionary updates via incremental development, modular design updates, technology refreshes, technology insertions, and Advanced Processor Builds are all in play at the same time. Various functional elements of the weapon system are often redesigned during the lifecycle to meet evolving requirements. Component obsolescence and failures must also be anticipated and addressed in upgrade planning. Within each weapon system''s evolutionary acquisition, cycle-changing requirements may expose weaknesses that have to be rectified across the inventory. New acquisition paradigms such as modular design have to be introduced into the supply chain while maintaining inventory levels of previously designed weapons at a high level of readiness. Thus, a diverse set of requirements must be satisfied with a finite set of resources. The acquisition policy does not provide guidance on how to address cross-coordination and optimization of project resources. This paper explores decision models for balancing conflicting demands and discusses the application of how these models address cross-coordination and optimization of project resources in the torpedo acquisition process while keeping the weapon''s efficiency and inventory effectiveness at or above minimum specified levels.Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research ProgramApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

The Logistics Support Resource Strategy Map: A Design and Assessment Tool

Proceedings Paper (for Acquisition Research Program)Design of a resource strategy for logistics support requires decision-makers to choose to use contracted, blended, or organic support, or a combination thereof, for acquisition products. Non-cost issues have received much less attention than cost in resource strategy design''even though policy requires the incorporation of many non-cost issues. This lack of attention is partially due to the large number of issues that can impact strategy design, the diversity of issue features and impacts, and the diversity of characteristics of programs, their environments, and potential strategies. Although many issues that should be included in logistic planning have been identified, little guidance is provided for how program management teams can incorporate them into logistics support resource strategy design. Tools that facilitate describing logistics requirements and the impacts of resource strategies on program success can potentially improve resource strategy design, assessment, and documentation for review. The structure and use of the Logistics Support Resource Strategy Map for helping program management teams consider a broad range of logistics support resource strategy design issues are described. An example application illustrates the Map''s use. Implications for practice and potential future developments tool are discussed.Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research ProgramApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Naval Ship Maintenance: An Analysis of the Dutch Shipbuilding Industry Using the Knowledge Value Added, Systems Dynamics, and Integrated Risk Management Methodologies

Sponsored Report (for Acquisition Research Program)Initiatives to reduce the cost of ship maintenance have not yet realized the normal cost-reduction learning curve improvements. One explanation is the lack of recommended technologies. Damen, a Dutch shipbuilding and service firm, has incorporated similar technologies and is developing others to improve its operations. The research team collected data on Dutch ship maintenance operations and used them to build three types of computer simulation models of ship maintenance and technology adoption. The results were analyzed and compared with previously developed modeling results of U.S. Navy ship maintenance and technology adoption. Adopting 3D PDF alone improves ROI significantly more than adopting a logistics package alone and adding both technologies improves ROI more than adding either technology alone. Adoption of the technologies would provide cost benefits far in excess of not using the technologies and there were marginal benefits in sequentially implementing the technologies over immediately implementing them. There are a number of issues in comparing the results with previous research but the potential benefits of using the technologies are very high in both cases. Implications for acquisition practice include the need for careful analysis and selection from among a variety of available information technologies and the recommendation for a phased development and implementation approach to manage uncertainty.Acquisition Research Progra

Analysis and Forecasting of Air Force Operating and Support Cost for Rotary Aircraft

This research explores forecasting techniques to estimate the Cost per Flying Hour (CPFH) for Air Force Helicopters. Specifically, this research evaluates three separate forecasting techniques to predict the CPFH for better estimating and budgeting by the U.S. Air Force. It starts by empirically analyzing the Operating and Support cost by CAIG categories for each helicopter. For forecasting purposes, the actual CPFH figures were compiled from FY96 to FY03 for a total of eight MAJCOMs flying the MH-53J/M, the HH-60G, or the UH-1N helicopters. The research explores the use of a 3-year moving average, the single exponential smoothing method, and Holt\u27s linear method. These forecasting techniques were used to forecast for FY02 in evaluating the best methodology to forecast the CPFH for FYO4. By comparing both the budgeted and forecasted figures for FY00 to FY02 to the actual CPFH figures in the same years, the forecasting methods were able to more accurately predict the actual CPFH for all of the MAJCOMs that achieved a budget variance of less than 20 percent. It was discovered that Holt\u27s linear method was the best forecasting method for 75 percent of the time series analyzed since they contained positive trends. Finally, these techniques were employed to provide the best possible forecast of the CPFH for FY04

A Structured Project-Risk Management and Life Cycle Framework for Complex Systems: Ship Repair and Maintenance (SR&M) Projects

This dissertation contributes to insights regarding the implications of using Project Risk Management (PRM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in managing projects for a complex system. The PRM approach apprehends many forms of risk both internal and external within a given project and assists the manager in determining the level of importance of each individual project phase and component to optimize project success. The life cycle approach to project management is used with short-term limitations with respect to a product\u27s life cycle over several years. The literature discusses many tools and techniques that assist project managers in implementing optimal solutions, but published statistics indicate failures to meet schedules and/or budgets are still common. This dissertation combines PRM and LCA for ship repair and maintenance projects for a ship\u27s 35-year service life. A framework highlighting the fundamentals of PRM and LCA was developed for the purpose of improving a ship\u27s service life and operability. The results of the analysis of survey data from subject matter experts indicate that a PRM and LCA of complex systems is a viable methodology. The framework was validated by subject matter experts and produced viable evidence that the proposed framework, if implemented, may have a 34% success rate of accomplishing its stated purpose of: reducing ship systems, equipment, or component failure rates; reducing a ship\u27s life-time costs; and improve ship reliability towards meeting its 35 year operational service life. Furthermore, this dissertation contributes to the body of knowledge in the fields of project-risk management and life cycle applications by providing a framework of a complex system of systems of ship repair and maintenance that can be used for any complex system of organizational entities