Abstract:
When compared to the commercial sector, it takes the military almost four times longer to develop an aircraft. For example, Boeing Company developed the 767 jetliner from concept to production in four years whereas the F-22 took 16 years. While this example represents two completely different aircraft types, there exists generic commonality across all modern military and commercial air vehicle programs. Consideration in staff interdisciplinary skill sets, digital design tools, and simulations are but a few of the common developmental tools. Shared equipment, materials, and processes can be applied to manufacturing and ground and flight testing. Also important is extending consideration to balancing the logistics systems such as understanding the value associated with the design and support of LRUs and SRAs. As Chair and working with the Vertical Flight Society History Committee, a distinguished panel forum of experts has been invited to address this subject matter from the perspectives of their individual illustrious careers