Technical Direction and Evaluation of Cost Analysis for Space System Studies

摘要

Economic and cost effectiveness analyses of proposed system concepts have become vital requirements in virtually all U. S. Air Force Space Systems Division studies. Since development of a space system is extremely costly, lead time is lengthy, and budget limitations are severe, there is a clear need to forecast the total systems cost and effectiveness of a proposed new system as early in the planning cycle as possible. This report presents highlights of the significant aspects of technical direction efforts in systems cost and cost effectiveness analyses. Major objectives of this effort are to ensure that the industry contractor: (a) Performs a total system cost analysis of sufficient depth and validity to permit analysis and evaluation; (b) Identifies those operational design and hardware concepts which will provide the greatest savings in total systems cost; (c) Properly validates those significant concepts and cost relationships which will lead to the selection of an optimum configuration. Recommendations on the approach and techniques to fulfill these objectives are provided. The uses and limitations of industry cost models, cost estimating relationships, and other estimating methods are discussed. Common pit-falls in system cost analysis are illustrated to indicate the guidance necessary.