Description
Applying COTS/Specs and Standards Reform to E-2C Acquisition
Organization: NAVAIR
Team Name: E-2C Program Office
Related Acquisition Topic(s): Acquisition Practices Streamlining, Commercial and Non Developmental Items (CANDI), Earned Value Management (EVM), Integrated Product Teams (IPT), Specifications and Standards
Description:
The E-2C Hawkeye is a twin engine, carrier based, airborne early warning aircraft designed to extend task force defense perimeters. It provides advanced warning of approaching enemy aircraft and surface units, and vectors interceptors or strike aircraft to the attack. Carrying a crew of five, the E-2C also provides area surveillance, intercept, search and rescue, communications relay, and strike/air traffic control. Initial authorization for E-2C limited production was granted in June 1971, followed by approval for full rate production in June 1974. Subsequent to this initial production decision, the E-2C was modified via Update Development Programs (UDP) I and II, resulting in a configured aircraft featuring the APS-145 radar, improved identification friend or foe (IIFF), and T56-A-427 engine. FY92 was to have been the last year for procuring Group II aircraft. However, the FY95 NAVCOMPT Budget included funding for four new aircraft per year
The E-2C program had perhaps been doing Acquisition Reform before it was defined. Some concepts of Acquisition Reform are evident in how the aircraft was built. For example, the mission computer, which has 128K of memory, was replaced with the DEC ALPHA commercial off the shelf (COTS) computer.
Now, E-2C has continued to pursue Acquisition Reform as AR has evolved. The E-2C program started out with 33 military specifications and 48 military standards. The program office reduced the number to 14 milspecs and 29 milstds. When it contracted, it had reduced to 0 milspecs and 1 milstds. The Q-70 workstation, which is the mission computer display system, utilizes commercial parts. The display, owned by NAVSEA, is E-2C government furnished equipment. E-2C is trying to get out of the business of doing anything unique; it is trying to use commercial components and concentrating on form, fit and function, and how to balance that with its supply system.
There are streamlining methods and practices in the E-2C program that would benefit other programs as well. The Integrated Baseline Review on cost plus contracts where one takes the time to understand the contractor's earned value is invaluable in monitoring cost plus aspects. Engineers and logistic personnel are trained to monitor and analyze cost data to see if it replicates what is happening in the technical development. Each Integrated Development Team has a subset that addresses cost. This is a helpful tool in joining with the contractor to prevent needless work. There are no monthly variance reports; the government personnel are charged with giving variance reports. Contractor variance reports are requested only if the government team members can not explain them. There have been only three requests for reports in three years. Another recommended practice from the E-2C program is, when conducting Contract Data Requirement List reviews, find out who is going to use the data and what its relevance is to the program. This avoids collecting data that is not required and will never be used.
A major highlight of the program is The Mission Computer Upgrade (MCU) contract. A commercial dec alpha computer was purchased. When the militarized version arrived, the software worked the first time out of the box without additional changes. The commercial gamble appears to be working. There is still have more testing to do, but this is the first time use of the commercial market and it was successful the first time.
Future efforts focus on trying to integrate the Hawkeye 2000 aircraft configuration by adding the PEO(TAD) Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), replacing the aircraft coolant with a non ozone depleting safe system. With the purchase of four aircraft per year, there is a concern with maintaining a viable vendor base. Effectively utilizing COTS is a continuation of Acquisition Reform for the E-2C program. The biggest challenge is replacing obsolete parts.
