Airframe Cost Model

The Airframe Cost Model is a simple on-line model for estimating the development and production costs of aircraft airframes that is suitable for use in a program's conceptual stage when little detailed information is available. The model provides separate CERs for the following major cost elements:

• Non-recurring engineering
• Non-recurring tooling
• Development support
• Flight test
• Recurring engineering
• Recurring tooling
• Recurring manufacturing labor
• Recurring manufacturing material
• Recurring quality assurance

The model was derived from a database consisting of 13 military aircraft with first flight dates ranging from 1960 to 1978: A-6, A-7, A-10, C-5, C-141, F-4, F-14, F-15, F-16, F-18, F-111, S-3A, and T-39. Empty weights for the sample aircraft range from under 10,000 lb. to over 300,000 lb., while speeds range from 400 kn. to over 1,300 kn.

The airframe cost refers to the cost of the assembled structural and aerodynamic components of the air vehicle that support subsystems essential to a particular mission. In includes non only the basic structure (wing, fuselage, empennage, and nacelles), but also the air induction system, starters, exhausts, fuel control system, inlet control system, alighting gear (tires, tubes, wheels, brakes, hydraulics, etc.), secondary power, furnishings (cargo, passenger, troop, etc.), engines controls, instruments (flight navigation, engine, etc.), environmental control, racks, mounts, intersystem cables and distribution boxes, etc., inherent to and inseparable from the assembled structure, dynamic systems, and other equipment homogeneous to the airframe. Airframe costs also encompass the integration and installation of the propulsion, avionics, and armament subsystems into the airframe but not those efforts directly related to their development and manufacture. The cost estimate does not include training, support equipment, data, and spares.

Source: "Advanced Airframe Structural Materials: A Primer and Cost Estimating Methodology," S.A. Reseter, J.C. Rogers, and R.W. Hess, RAND, R-4016-AF

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