Rapidretarget@visicom.com VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION 1 Successful Application of RRT to Reducing...

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

Successful Application of RRT to Successful Application of RRT to Reducing Obsolescence & Reducing Obsolescence &

Ownership CostOwnership Cost

ALQ-126BALQ-126B

Navy Logistics Research and Development ProgramNavy Logistics Research and Development Program

Rapid Retargeting (RRT)Rapid Retargeting (RRT)

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

OutlineOutline

Background RRT Defined Process ALQ-126B System ALQ-126B RRT Experience Results Business Case Other Benefits Summary

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

BackgroundBackground Desired Life Time for Military Systems is Several Times

Greater Than Obsolescence Cycle for Electronics Results in:

– Supportability problems for both legacy systems and new COTS systems

Typical Solutions:– Life-of-type buys– Qualify alternative parts and / or manufacturing sources– Secondary markets– Component redesign

Typical Solutions Increase Total Ownership Cost

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

RRT DefinedRRT Defined

VisiCom Approach to Obsolescence: Rapid Retargeting– Capture functionality at CCA or higher (subsystem) level

– Characterize design in software; implement in programmable devices

– Provide form fit and functional replacement for CCAs

Advantages of Rapid Retargeting :– Avoids future obsolescence

– Improves reliability (lower part counts)

– Multiple CCA functionality can be implemented in a single hardware design

– Can re-use software models

– Can add functionality to a given design

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

RRT ProcessRRT Process Candidate Identification - System or R&D Concept

– Initial screening/discussions, “Quick Look” Submitted to NAVSUP

Preliminary Assessment of candidate systems/concepts

– Potential for solutions via Rapid Retargeting

– Proposed cost and schedule for retargeting

– Business Case Analyses

Detailed Analyses and Designs

– VHDL models, simulations,

Prototype / Proof-of-Concept Hardware

Field Testing

Part Numbers assigned / ECPs / supply system support

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

The ALQ-126B SystemThe ALQ-126B System DESCRIPTION: Deceptive Electronic Countermeasures

System Providing Increased Aircraft Survivability by Denying Accurate Range and Position Data against Pulse Modulated Air Defense Systems.

ACQUISITION PHASE: Operational/Out of Production APPLICABLE AIRCRAFT: INVENTORY

U. S. NAVY F/A-18, F-14, AV-8B 750

FMS F/A-18,AV-8B 260

PRIME CONTRACTOR: Sanders, A Lockheed Martin Co. Last Contract 3/15/95

FMS:

• CONTRACT: N00383-91-G-220 FFP VALUE: $14.7M

• PRODUCT: 14 AN/ALQ-126B Systems (Delivery Complete) 8 AN/ALQ-164 Pods (Delivery Complete)

• PRIME: Sanders, A Lockheed Martin Co.

• CUSTOMER: Malaysia, Italy, Kuwait

CURRENT SOFTWARE:

OFP 12 Released to Fleet July 1996

UDF 23 Released to Fleet July 1996 ISSUES:

– AV8B ALQ-126B Software

– Parts Obsolescence

ALQ-126B

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

Previous Study (DMEA) 41 Unique CCA’s; 199 Unique Microcircuits Overall System Health is YELLOW 28 Microcircuits are RED 21 Microcircuits are YELLOW Predicted Health in 2005: 3 CCA’s RED

We had Functionally-Equivalent VHDL Models for 23 of 28 RED Microcircuits 20 of 21 YELLOW Microcircuits

Developed a UniModule That Can Replace Each of 8 Different ALQ-126B CCA’s

ALQ-126B ExperienceALQ-126B Experience

The ALQ-126B UniModule (center)

and 8 Modules it can replace

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

Retargeted UniModule has been Validated at NAS JAX

Environmental Testing at NUWC Keyport and Boeing Underway

ECP Package Prepared

Production Validation and FOT&E This Summer

< 1 Year Effort

ALQ-126B UniModuleALQ-126B UniModule

The ALQ-126B UniModule (center)

and 8 Modules it can replace

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

The Business CaseThe Business Case

The usual assumption is:– “Because of NRE cost, reengineering is the most expensive

alternative to solving the obsolescence problem” But traditional obsolescence solutions (LOT, substitute, etc)

only increase TOC

BUT: Rapid Retargeting of the ALQ-126B– solved obsolescence problems for 8 CCAs

– Significantly Reduced System Total Ownership Costs(TOC)

Independent cost analysis showed RRT solution yielded a benefit to cost ratio of 1.71– Almost qualifies for LECP under BOSS III

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

The Business CaseThe Business Case

For the AN/ALQ-126 Rapid Retargeting has proven to be

– a desirable technical solution– a viable cost saving alternative– the preferred solution

Doing nothing is not a viable option in the world of obsolescence

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

The Business Case The Business Case (Cont’d)(Cont’d)

NRE costs are the largest portion of cost to retarget

“So, how do you make RRT cost effective?” The ALQ-126B model

– All cards replaced have usage– 15 years service life remaining– UniModule design

• Reuse VHDL - reduces NRE cost

• $1,500 card replaces $13,000 cards

• Improved reliability - reduced component count

• Eliminate depot repair costs - UniModule consumable

NRE Becomes Investment to Reduce Total Ownership Cost…

as Well as Solving the Obsolescence Problem

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

Logisitics ImpactsLogisitics Impacts UniModule becomes a substitute for replacement cards Reduced spares investment - seven fewer line items No change to ATE Minimal change to “I” level maintenance procedures

– Implemented through Avionics Change– Changes to manuals at next routine change release

No changes to maintenance training

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

SUMMARYSUMMARY

The experience with the ALQ-126B demonstrates

Rapid retargeting is a viable technical solution to component obsolescence

that can be easily implemented

and

Is a cost effective approach that can reduce Total Ownership Cost

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rapidretarget@visicom.com

VISICOM PRODUCTS DIVISION

FundingFunding If you are thinking…

“Rapid Retargeting looks like it could solve my obsolescence problem and reduce my system

ownership costs, but my bare-bones budget will just not support that up-front NRE expense.”

Contact…Navy Logistics Research and Development Program

Jim Fitzgibbon, NAVSUP 4B2UJim Fitzgibbon, NAVSUP 4B2U

(717) 605-1300(717) 605-1300

James_E_Fitzgibbon@navsup.navy.mil

Tony Van Houweling

Titan Systems, VisiCom Products Division

858-320-4078

tvh@visicom.com