Identification of Operating and Support Cost Drivers for Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence Systems

摘要

This thesis researched the problems with life cycle costing of command, control, communication, and intelligence systems (C3I). As operating and support costs skyrocket it is imperative that the military design systems for reliability and maintainability to slow escalating costs. However, the cost drivers are unknown and no life cycle cost model exists specifically for C3I systems. This thesis used actual cost data categorized by type of equipment (radar, radio, wire, special/combination) and by usage mode (ground, portable, transportable, fixed, and mobile). A discriminant analysis showed that the four groups in the type category were significantly different based on cost data, and, likewise, that the five model groups differed significantly. Next a regression was performed, and the resultant correlation table indicated which variable was the cost driver for each group. The simple regression yielded the regression coefficients and y-intercept for the regression equations. These equations are the cost estimating relationships for C3I systems, based on the cost drivers identified by this thesis.