Download Free Human Factors Engineering In Air Force Weapon Systems Acquisition Book in PDF and EPUB Free Download. You can read online Human Factors Engineering In Air Force Weapon Systems Acquisition and write the review.

This report examines the role that human factors engineering plays in Air Force systems acquisition. It focused upon the conceptual, validation and full-scale engineering development phases of the acquisition process since it is during these phases that the major benefits of human factors engineering can be derived. Based upon previous analyses, letter reports, and the author's personal experience, human factors engineering activities appropriate to these phases are discussed. A brief review of Department of Defense and Air Force systems acquisition policy pertaining to human factors engineering is also presented. Some applications to present weapon programs are identified and discussed. It was concluded that the success of human factors engineering efforts is directly related to the management emphasis and priority given to consideration of the man-machine interface. Recommendations include strengthening the human factors engineering focal point and improvement of the human factors engineering career field to provide the necessary emphasis and resources for human factors engineering implementation. (Author).
"At each stage in the development of a new weapon system appropriate action must be taken regarding the eventual role which men will play in operating and maintaining the completed system. The use of systematic procedures for solving problems and making decisions with respect to these human engineering factors, and for articulating them with other aspects of system development, assures that the weapon system emerges as a maximally effective man-machine system. This report is intended to suggest systematic procedures for the human engineering of developmental weapon systems. A brief discussion of man-machine systems and the role of human engineering in their design is followed by a design schedule. This schedule suggests at what points and in what ways human engineering should be accomplished. Following the design schedule, procedures that may be used to assess and solve human engineering problems are suggested. Finally, human capabilities and limitations are discussed from the point of view of the man as a system component."--Abstract.
DoD policy requires that critical human factors such as personnel and training be addressed throughout the acquisition process to influence system designs and to identify resource constraints. Costs and operational effectiveness of new systems associated with resource constraints should be a major consideration at each acquisition milestone decision. Resources in support of new systems should be committed and programmed by Milestone II and Milestone III decisions, respectively. This report is our second and final report on human systems integration. The overall objective was to determine whether the Air Force's internal controls and procedures are adequate to ensure that manpower, personnel, and training requirements are planned effectively for operation and maintenance of new weapon systems. We also determined whether resources were committed or programmed for new personnel and training requirements. To accomplish the audit objectives, we focused on system acquisition programs that were in phases II and III. Program managers did not adequately address human systems integration during the acquisition process. Consequently, the Air Force may field mission-essential weapon systems without enough properly trained personnel for sustained operations in wartime.
The objective of the Reverse Engineering Project is to identify how and where to influence the acquisition process to result in effective use of soldiers in weapon systems. The project was initiated by the U.S. Army Research Institute at the request of General Maxwell Thurman while he was Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel. It was his position that careful examination of the development process of several Army weapon systems would provide specific illustrations of human factors, manpower, personnel and training (HMPT) issues and identify critical events in the weapon system acquisition process (WSAP). If proper attention from an HMPT perspective were given to these critical events, then fielding of operationally useful systems would be facilitated. Approaches for accomplishing this would be developed based on the detailed information required from the study of the individual systems. A study was undertaken based ont he 'reverse engineering' of four systems: STINGER, Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), BLACK HAWK (UH-60A), and the Fault Detection and Isolation Subsystems of the M1 tank. The term 'reverse engineering' is intended to suggest the process of determining how products of the WSAP came to be as they are. This is the final report of the project. It contains a description of the study process, brief summaries of the analysis of the individual systems, the synthesis of the four systems studies, and the recommendations and products that were developed. (Author).
While there are examples of successful weapon systems acquisition programs within the U.S. Air Force (USAF), many of the programs are still incurring cost growth, schedule delays, and performance problems. The USAF now faces serious challenges in acquiring and maintaining its weapons systems as it strives to maintain its current programs; add new capabilities to counter evolving threats; and reduce its overall program expenditures. Owning the technical baseline is a critical component of the Air Force's ability to regain and maintain acquisition excellence. Owning the technical baseline allows the government acquisition team to manage and respond knowledgeably and effectively to systems development, operations, and execution, thereby avoiding technical and other programmatic barriers to mission success. Additionally, owning the technical baseline ensures that government personnel understand the user requirements, why a particular design and its various features have been selected over competing designs, and what the options are to pursue alternative paths to the final product given unanticipated cost, schedule, and performance challenges. Owning the Technical Baseline for Acquisition Programs in the U.S. Air Force discusses the strategic value to the Air Force of owning the technical baseline and the risk of not owning it and highlights key aspects of how agencies other than the Air Force own the technical baseline for their acquisition programs. This report identifies specific barriers to owning the technical baseline for the Air Force and makes recommendations to help guide the Air Force in overcoming those barriers.
Guidelines for Assessing Whether Human Factors Were Considered in the Weapon Systems Acquisition Process
This report presents an organized body of information useful for dealing with those human factors problems frequently encountered in the development of the Weapons System Trainer. Emphasis is given throughout to the general problems involved in developing the complete training system rather than to the analysis of details specific to given training systems. It summarizes basic human factors information which influences the design and construction of training devices. Successive chapters of the report are devoted to determining training needs, developing the environment for learning, understanding simulation requirements for training, developing a measurement capability, and discussing the human engineering problems in trainer design. As it provides a considerable background of human factors information pertinent to the synthetic ground environment, this report will be of interest to individuals directly concerned with Weapons System Training programs, preparing trainer specifications, developing training standards, and testing and evaluating simulation equipment. (Author).
Three tasks were performed in the preparation of the present report: (1) The Navy Weapon System Acquisition process was defined, with supporting documentation. Major acquisition phases, milestones, events and activities were identified and formatted into a timeline. (2) A comprehensive review of the scientific literature was conducted in order to identify viable HFE methods, techniques, principles and data. These technologies were then described, along with methods of application for each. (3) An extensive assessment was made of each technology, in terms of meeting HFE requirements, as well as applicability and appropriateness within the acquisition cycle. The report is presented in four sections: Section 1, the Introduction, provides general background information and defines the approach taken; Section 2 defines the Navy Major Weapon System Acquisition process and identifies HFE requirements within that process. Forty-seven major acquisition events, activities and milestones and 45 general HFE requirements are discussed; Section 3 provides descriptions of over 70 HFE methods and techniques, as well as HFE principles and data sources. In addition, each method and/or technique is assessed according to its applicability to HFE requirements within the acquisition cycle; (4) the final section identifies HFE technology shortfalls in terms of addressing the HFE requirements. It also identifies several emerging technologies that are suitable to fill the identified technology gaps.