Aerial Common Sensor (ACS)


Another Interlude:

Blah Blah Blah all this technical stuff is making my head hurt make it simpler! 

I first started working airworthiness as the lead (my title just me) software airworthiness engineer for the Aerial Common Sensor (ACS) for approximately 3 years till reboot!  Sound familiar!  I provided all the technical requirements and data items put into the contract with regards to software airworthiness.  The software was to meet DO-178B and there is an interesting story concerning this with the prime contractor Lockheed Martin (LM) but maybe later, keeping it simple.  ACS was reconnaissance aircraft project.  The Army had already selected the platform, a fixed wing Brazilian airframe provided by EMBRAER.  Now if you just think for just a moment you can probably guess what happen next.  It's easy!

Think!

After selecting the aircraft the Army wanted too much stuff on the plane they picked!

WHOOPS!

Hopefully! Most know how many individuals they need to fit in a car before they purchase it.  Establish "requirements" prior to purchasing the car but that is not how the Army works. 

requirements = what you need.

traceability = you meet those needs.

Basic engineering!




According to Wikipedia.  A contract termination fee of $200 million was paid to the contractors.  The Army blamed LM "for not being able to properly forecast weight issues with the system." 


Did LM have any idea what was going to go on the plane at the start.  NO!  Did the Army have any idea what was going to go on the plane at the start.  NO!

Simple enough?

ARMY ENGINEERING  =  You put your hand out and shake it all about! [EPIC post]
You do the hokey pokey
And you turn yourself around
That's what it's all about!

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