Example: Computer-Based Systems for Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), Arnold AFB, TN
We provide systems engineering and development of computer-based systems at AEDC, including software systems engineering processes originally defined for compliance with DOD-STD-2167A and MIL-STD-498. We have supported continuous improvement of these processes through involvement of our top managers and the software engineering process group (SEPG), leading to compliance with ISO/IEC 12207 and both CMM and CMMI Level 3. One example of our outstanding support is the recently completed Phase 1 of the 5-year, $83M Propulsion Wind Tunnel (PWT) Sustainment Program, where we used commercial best practices to isolate custom application problems from COTS software problems.
Results and Benefits – Our analysis for the PWT Sustainment Program resulted in incorporation of a customized commercial sector software package, TestVIEW, which produced major improvements in the utility of the final product as well as a $5M reduction in a total project cost and a one-year reduction in schedule. We also developed an all-new data acquisition and control system (DACS) that is encased in an environmentally-controlled cabinet mounted on the test cart. Implementation of the cart-mounted DACS drastically reduced test model installation time from 55 hours to only 4 – a 1,275% time savings – and eliminated the need for miles of cable through the use of on-cart data systems and fiber optic networks. The project was awarded AEDC's 1999 Technical Achievement Award.
