Parametric Cost Estimation Applied to Composite Helicopter Airframes.

摘要

Composite materials offer great promise to all future air vehicles by allowing engineers to design and build aircraft that weigh less, have better performance, and lower lifecycle cost. However, even though these materials have been used by the industry for over a decade, there still does not exist an accurate means to estimate their cost. The primary objective of this study is to develop cost estimating relationships for composite helicopter airframes. It also provides information about composite materials, cost estimation in the DoD acquisition process, and current composite material cost estimating models. An accurate cost estimate is a crucial element of any successful weapons acquisition program. The results of this study are the development of a predictive model that relates cost in direct labor hours to various performance parameters of a helicopter constructed of composite materials. This thesis should provide information to cost estimators and program managers that will assist them in formulating accurate cost estimates for composite helicopter airframes. Parametric cost estimation, Composite helicopter airframes, Composite materials.