Cost/Benefit Analysis of the AH-64 (Apache) Helicopter Automated Test Equipment (ATE).

摘要

A cost/benefit analysis was conducted to evaluate the Automated Test Equipment (ATE) requirements to provide fault detection capability for electronic components for the support of the AH-64 Apache helicopter. The Apache currently uses a dedicated Electronic Equipment Test Facility (EETF) to provide this capability. It is Army Policy, however, that the Integrated family of Test Equipment (IFTE) be the Army standard ATE for providing this capability. Due to a funding shortfall for IFTE and the current fielding of an upgrade to the EETF computer, the Commanding General of AMC requested that an economic analysis be conducted to compare EETF versus IFTE for the support of the Apache. A life cycle cost-analysis was conducted in which alternatives were compared over a 20-year time frame. The analysis compares the costs, benefits and feasibility of continuing to use EETF versus various options for transitioning to IFTE in support of Apache. In summary, the life cycle costs for EETF are significantly less than IFTE. While the sustainment costs for IFTE are less than EETF, they do not offset the higher acquisition costs for Cost/Benefit Analysis, Life Cycle Cost, Test Measurement an Diagnostic Equipment, Automated Test Equipment.