AM Direct-Write Electronic Printing for RF Electronics Sustainment (Lockheed Martin)

This project is developing direct-write printing methods for repair and rework of sustainment of RF electronics. This includes: i) repairing damaged conductive traces, ii) rework of wire-bond interconnections to die, iii) rework Ag-epoxy electrical connections, iv) removal & replacement of defective components using ink attachment, iv) printing tuning stubs on RF circuits to bring back within electrical spec, v) repairing damaged spiral antenna elements and antenna feed networks, vi) reworking impedance matching balun connections, vii) repair of dielectric encapsulation and electrical isolation areas, viii) repair of thin-film and thick-film resistor elements.  

Global Supply Chain Operations (Lockheed Martin)

This project has the objective of establishing and maturing the Lockheed Martin Sustainment Institute.  In addition, research focused on the great power completion and identification of the implications for weapon system acquisition and sustainment will be conducted.

System Prognostics and Health Management (Northrop Grumman)

Development of algorithms and resulting computing capability in prognostics for the automatic sustainment of complex integrated products with a focus on subsystems in the MQ5B Hunter UAV.

Condition-Based Maintenance Study for C4ISR Systems (US Army)

Perform an assessment of what classes of components and technologies would have potential for CBM implementation.  Identify the appropriate failure precursors and sensing mechanisms for those classes of components/technologies.  Develop and establish ranking criteria for an initial group of targeted C4ISR systems and evaluate the respective system data collection efforts required and sensing technologies.  Complete a cost benefit analysis for the top candidates with particular emphasis and discussion regarding the feasibility of implementation of approaches at the initial system design level.

Development of an Obsolescence Cost Model for NPPs (Idaho National Labs/Oak Ridge National Labs)

An obsolescence cost model will be developed to capture all expected costs over the license period for managing obsolescence in nuclear power plant control rooms.  The results of the cost model can serve as the baseline costs to be compared to the projected savings of digital instrumentation and control modernization.

Evaluating the Impact of Contracting “Tripwires” on Service Acquisitions (Naval Postgraduate School)

Contracting “tripwires,” are defined as “pre- and post-award metrics that provide visibility into areas of vulnerability and risk in the acquisition of services that require greater visibility and decisions by higher levels of management”. This research seeks to evaluate how tripwire implementation, on the whole and in specific instances, has impacted acquisition outcomes.

Understanding and Modeling the Life‐Cycle Cost Tradeoffs Associated with the Procurement of Open Systems (Naval Postgraduate School)

Openness (of a system or architecture), though intuitively understood, remains difficult to quantify in terms of its value. Although commonly associated with cost avoidance, system openness can also increase costs. The proposed research seeks to develop a multivariate model that quantifies the relationship between system openness and life-cycle cost.

Evaluating the Impact of Federal Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR) Compliance on the Defense Industrial Base (Naval Postgraduate School)

This research seeks to quantify the cost of FIAR compliance to defense firms, in light of the perceived limited practical value offered by annual financial audits.

Evaluating the Cost Effectiveness of Joint Defense Programs (Naval Postgraduate School)

This research examines the benefits and drawbacks associated with joint defense programs. Specifically, it seeks to determine the relationship between program “jointness” and cost savings (or growth) throughout the acquisition life cycle, and develop a typology that can be used to predict joint program outcomes in terms of cost and system effectiveness.