A Novel Sold State Joining technique for High Thermal Conductivity Aluminum Nitride Components

Not Available Weapon system planners are required to prioritize many developments for new and existing combat systems. Often it is difficult to determine the actual operating costs of a system to make meaningful comparisons of the operating cost of one system compared to another. Developers and planners require a methodology and tool-set that will enable cost and affordability estimations based on industry standards for system operating costs. Objectives of this SBIR are to develop a methodology, data model, and web-based computer tool for estimating the cost per flying hour of combat systems. The effort will focus on determining the fixed and variable costs associated with operating combat systems. The methodology will enable comparisons of different systems to determine the most cost-effective approach for operation. The estimating tool developed for this research will be demonstrated as a standalone prototype and will have the capability to be integrated into the Weapon System Integrated Cost Model. The Phase I research will result in an initial prototype of the tool which will be used to gain user comments to guide the Phase II development. The Phase II effort will fully develop and test the prototype, with the objective of a commercial tool in Phase III.