Simulation based life cycle cost modelling as a decision support tool

This paper summarizes the work that has been carried out as part of the FLAVIIR project, a 5year research program looking at technologies for future unmanned air vehicles. This is a UKEPSRC funded project sponsored by BAE systems. A framework is presented in which a life cyclecost model can be integrated into the design process to facilitate the comparison between differentconfigurations. The architecture to estimate the life cycle cost and the associated models aredescribed. The acquisition costs are estimated using a hierarchical structure and a discretesimulation model is used to estimate the maintenance and operation costs. It is then demonstratedhow the framework can be used to evaluate the cost penalty of different design concepts