Commercial Operations and Support Savings Initiative for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior

摘要

The Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) located at Fort Eustis, Virginia, in concert with the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Program Manager's Office in Huntsville, Alabama, initiated a Commercial Operations and Support Savings Initiative (COSSI) effort for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior aircraft in March 2000. The purpose of the effort was to reduce the operational weight and Operation and Support (O&S) cost of the aircraft. The concept was to develop a "kit" for the aircraft that would increase performance, range, and safety while reducing O&S costs. The core systems of the kit are based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components, systems, and technology that is either directly used or modified for use on the OH-58D platform. The program was completed in April 2002 and was successful in that over 300 lbs was removed from the aircraft while enhancing safety and mission performance. The continued effort to field this capability resulted in several COSSI components being included in the Controls and Displays System 4 (CDS4) Block 2 testing that started in Nov 2004 and will complete in June 2005.