Introducing Cost Models to Conceptual Tradespace Exploration

Abstract

Over 70% of lifecycle cost (LCC) for a system design is determined during the conceptual phase. Currently for a US Department of Defense (DoD) Capabilities‐Based Assessment (C‐BA) or an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), the cost analysis is performed on a small set of chosen designs based on performance/attribute metrics. Ideally, it would be better to explore the cost versus performance trades on thousands, if not millions, of designs before the down‐selection to reveal the more affordable designs. A goal of the DoD Engineered Resilient Systems (ERS) Program is to create a capability that links cost and performance models for early concept exploration. ERS leverages advances in computer science and computing power to create a tradespace framework to couple performance and cost model results. Integrating cost analysis into early tradespace development aligns with the evolving DoD policy to formally include cost earlier in the acquisition timeline.