Getting AEGIS to Sea: The AEGIS Ships

摘要

Building the AEGIS ships required an evolution in organization and processes to match their unprecedented integration of ship and combat systems. Each of the project's partners was given responsibility and accountability for their role in getting AEGIS to sea. OPNAV was an active participant throughout and even had its own AEGIS Program Office code, "PMS 400Z." Contracts rewarded excellence and cooperation. Doing the difficult job of systems engineering up front avoided classical problems commonly encountered in major shipbuilding programs. The "cradle-to-grave" charter and organization of the AEGIS project instilled the long view in all players. The AEGIS Project Office was unquestionably in charge, and was the final arbiter of disputes between the shipbuilders and combat system developers. The decisions made were ultimately what were best for the nation, not any single contractor or government organization.