Systems and Cost Effectiveness Modeling of Unmanned Systems Product Lines for Acquisition

Abstract

This research investigated the systems and cost-effectiveness of unmanned system product lines to improve both the acquisition processes and warfighter's capabilities. Historically defined as the probability that a system can successfully meet an operational demand within a given time when operated under specified conditions, system effectiveness is the ability of a system to do its intended job. Traditionally applied to a single system acquiring DoD systems with overlapping capabilities are most economically acquired as integrated product lines. Therefore, more relevant measures are needed to evaluate product lines and similar systems of systems. Cost-effectiveness measures a system in terms of the cost of system effectiveness and its ability to fulfill the intended mission and total lifecycle cost (LCC). The LCC can be expressed in different ways depending upon specific mission or system parameters under evaluation. The "constructive product line investment model framework" (COPLIMO) applies to performing product line cost estimation and investment analysis. Initially oriented for software product line development, it is now a general framework for system product lines consisting of software, hardware, or combined elements. The Cost model is adaptable for different product types, processes, and estimation relationships necessary to cover unmanned systems. The cost model accomplishes this by employing product-specific parametric cost models to improve estimation fidelity versus using average assumptions. The overall model sums the software and hardware component estimates derived from their detailed cost models. The results of a student capstone report are the focal point of the paper.