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Development Of A Prototype Air Force Institute Of Technology (Afit) Research Management System (Arms), David N. Schaaf, Carl W. Scott Dec 1992

Development Of A Prototype Air Force Institute Of Technology (Afit) Research Management System (Arms), David N. Schaaf, Carl W. Scott

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to design, develop, test, and evaluate an initial prototype information system to enhance the conduct and management of research in the School of Systems and Logistics at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). To accomplish this goal, the researchers developed and completed a methodology that was generally patterned after the milestones in a typical system development life cycle. The proof-of-concept nature of this research caused the researchers to also map the study's seven major objectives into a second system development model called the Spiral Model (Boehm, 1988:61). This hybrid approach provided better defined …


An Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of Air Force Information Management Officer Training Based On The Perceived Needs Of Current Information Management Officers, David P. Biros, Stewart J. Cole Dec 1992

An Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of Air Force Information Management Officer Training Based On The Perceived Needs Of Current Information Management Officers, David P. Biros, Stewart J. Cole

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the computer orientation courses provided Air Force information managers are properly focused. This study found that the courses have made the desired impact and, with minor exceptions, information managers perceive then-selves to be more knowledgeable after the training. From the results of the survey it is apparent that information managers are more knowledgeable of computers than they were in a study completed in 1988. The officers who attended training after the course was modified to include computer orientation were much more satisfied with their training than previous graduates. They indicated a …


Staffing Sources Of Usaf Medical Center Systems Offices: A Study Of Their Relation To Information Systems Quality, William K. Dorr, Shelley D. Christia Dec 1992

Staffing Sources Of Usaf Medical Center Systems Offices: A Study Of Their Relation To Information Systems Quality, William K. Dorr, Shelley D. Christia

Theses and Dissertations

This study measured the relationship between Medical Systems Office staffing source (i.e., military medical, military communications/computer, civilian government, and contractor personnel) and quality of automated information services provided at CONUS USAF medical centers. A literature search determined that information system quality is best measured on eight dimensions: performance, features, reliability, conformance, durability, serviceability, aesthetics, and perceived quality. The CIO at each medical center was surveyed to determine the level of system conformance to Air Force standards and to gather data on each MSO staff. Users at the medical centers were also surveyed in order to measure performance, features, reliability, serviceability, …


Automated Logistics Information Systems: A Case Study, James E. Hogue Dec 1992

Automated Logistics Information Systems: A Case Study, James E. Hogue

Theses and Dissertations

A change within the Air Force has shifted management responsibilities within the logistics community. Formerly diverse functions have come under the purview of a single manager-the Logistics Group Commander-who has inherited information systems that may riot be able to provide consolidated information for informed and accurate decision making. The purpose of this thesis was to describe the current and potential ability for three logistics information management systems to share data: Standard Base Supply System, Consolidated Aircraft Management System, and On-Line Vehicle Information Management System. A systems model was synthesized from the literature review to determine what components of a system …


Reliability, Maintainability, And Supportability (Rms) Education In Engineering Schools, Gregory T. Hurst, Barry N. Kinter Dec 1992

Reliability, Maintainability, And Supportability (Rms) Education In Engineering Schools, Gregory T. Hurst, Barry N. Kinter

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to show how engineering schools, as a whole, perceive the role of reliability, maintainability, and supportability in the engineering field. This includes the degree to which these concepts are included in their curricula, whether industry recruiters look for reliability, maintainability, and supportability training when they visit college campuses and to what degree college faculties are teaching reliability, maintainability, and supportability. This is done through research of existing literature and the analysis of data from a survey completed by engineering schools. General analyses are presented of the overall responses and detailed analysis of contrasts and …


Integrated Diagnostic Expert System Model (Idesm): A Model For The Conversion Of Fault Isolation Procedures Into An Integrated Diagnostic Expert System, Robert J. Lacey, Glen D. Steemson Dec 1992

Integrated Diagnostic Expert System Model (Idesm): A Model For The Conversion Of Fault Isolation Procedures Into An Integrated Diagnostic Expert System, Robert J. Lacey, Glen D. Steemson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop a model to convert existing hardcopy maintenance manual fault isolation procedures into electronic format and to partially automate the fault isolation process. A comprehensive model was developed which comprised four major components: user interface, expert system submodel, hypermedia submodel, and a submodel integration shell. Using this model, the F 15E nose landing gear fault isolation procedures were transformed into a rule based expert system. An existing hypermedia information base was expanded and subsequently integrated with the expert system to form the prototype application. The prototype was evaluated by engineering and maintenance personnel …


Corporate Information Management And Business Process Improvement Under The Unit Cost Program: An Analysis Of A System For The Air Force Institute Of Technology, Kevin D. Kettell, Fredrick T. Ziegler Ii Dec 1992

Corporate Information Management And Business Process Improvement Under The Unit Cost Program: An Analysis Of A System For The Air Force Institute Of Technology, Kevin D. Kettell, Fredrick T. Ziegler Ii

Theses and Dissertations

DOD has been undergoing changes toward a competitive business-type environment as a result of the Packard Commission and -the Goldwater-Nichols Act. As a result of the Goldwater-Nichols Act, two programs directly affect the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT): Defense Management Report Decision 971, better known as the Defense Business Operations Fund (DBOF); and, the Corporate Information Management (CIM) initiative. DBOF requires that organizations provide unit cost per output figures as the basis for organizational funding. Unit cost resourcing changes the way federal managers manage and allocate resources, and promotes quality management and continuous improvement principles. Defense Information Management recognizes …


Improving The Quality Of Machine Translations By Providing Stylistic Guidelines To Authors And Editors, Edward J. Walsh Dec 1992

Improving The Quality Of Machine Translations By Providing Stylistic Guidelines To Authors And Editors, Edward J. Walsh

Theses and Dissertations

This research sought to identify stylistic guidelines which could be used by the authors and editors of English language texts in order to improve the quality of subsequent machine translations to other languages. A literature review was conducted to provide background information and to determine what guidelines would be appropriate. Nine guidelines were developed on the basis of the review. The guidelines were then tested. They were applied to five paragraphs from a Royal Australian Air Force technical publication by the researcher and an independent volunteer. Both the resulting texts and the original paragraphs were translated into French using the …


The Efficacy Of Group Decision Support Systems: A Field Experiment To Evaluate Impacts On Air Force Decision Makers, Benjamin C. Huff Dec 1992

The Efficacy Of Group Decision Support Systems: A Field Experiment To Evaluate Impacts On Air Force Decision Makers, Benjamin C. Huff

Theses and Dissertations

The research contributed to the study of Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS) in field experiments involving real managers making real decisions. This research was conducted by the Air Force Institute of Technology with the Air Force Armstrong Laboratory to evaluate the efficacy of using GDSS technology in an Air Force decision making environment. This study compared facilitated GDSS, facilitated manual, and unfacilitated manual decision making processes. This study focused on performance and secondary outcomes resulting from GDSS effects versus process structure effects. The research evaluated two performance outcomes: GDSS efficiency in terms of decision speed and effectiveness in terms of …


Parallel Simulation Of Structural Vhdl Circuits On Intel Hypercubes, Thomas A. Breeden Dec 1992

Parallel Simulation Of Structural Vhdl Circuits On Intel Hypercubes, Thomas A. Breeden

Theses and Dissertations

Many VLSI circuit designs are too large to be simulated with VHDL in a reasonable amount of time. One approach to reducing the simulation time is to distribute the simulation over several processors. This research creates an environment for designing and simulating structural VHDL circuits on the Intel iPSC/2 and iPSC/860 Hypercubes. Logic gates and system behaviors are partitioned among the processors, and signed changes are shared via event messages. Circuit simulations are run over the SPECTRUM parallel simulation testbed, and the null- message paradigm is used to avoid deadlock. Structural circuits ranging from forty to over one thousand logic …


Undergraduate Technology Education In The United States: Content And Structure Of Methods Instruction, Wallace E. Peck Dec 1992

Undergraduate Technology Education In The United States: Content And Structure Of Methods Instruction, Wallace E. Peck

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Teacher Exposure To And Knowledge Of People With Virtual Impairment And The Effect On Attitudes Towards Mainstreaming, Robert Wall Dec 1992

Teacher Exposure To And Knowledge Of People With Virtual Impairment And The Effect On Attitudes Towards Mainstreaming, Robert Wall

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Social Changes In The Classroom Through Conflict Resolution, Jody J. Thompson Dec 1992

Social Changes In The Classroom Through Conflict Resolution, Jody J. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.


Passive Damping Of A Solar Array, Mark A. Scharpen Dec 1992

Passive Damping Of A Solar Array, Mark A. Scharpen

Theses and Dissertations

This study was an attempt to conceptualize, design, build, and test a constrained layer damping device that uses mechanical advantage for the purpose of increasing the damping of transient vibration of a five-bay planar truss. The aluminum truss was clamped to a fixed support and simulated a solar array. A conventional constrained layer treatment was designed, built, and tested to serve as a benchmark for comparison. For the conventional treatment, Plunkett and Lee's segmented constraining layer technique was used. The improved device, two three-layer sandwich beams spanning the two bays nearest the built-in end, were supported several inches away from …


Creating And Manipulating Formalized Software Architectures To Support A Domain-Oriented Application Composition System, Cynthia G. Anderson Dec 1992

Creating And Manipulating Formalized Software Architectures To Support A Domain-Oriented Application Composition System, Cynthia G. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated technology which enables sophisticated users to specify, generate, and maintain application software in domain-oriented terms. To realize this new technology, a development environment, called Architect, was designed and implemented. Using canonical formal specifications of domain objects, Architect rapidly composes these specifications into a software application and executes a prototype of that application as a means to demonstrate its correctness before any programming language specific code is generated. Architect depends upon the existence of a formal object base (or domain model) which was investigated by another student in related research. The research described in this thesis relied on …


Automated Control Of Aircraft In Formation Flight, Louis E. Buzogany Dec 1992

Automated Control Of Aircraft In Formation Flight, Louis E. Buzogany

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, an automated formation control system for an aircraft formation comprised of one lead and multiple wing aircraft is analyzed. Second- order models of the C-130 aircraft are developed in order to accurately model the flying qualities of large aircraft. This automated formation control system is capable of controlling the C-130 aircraft in maneuvering formation flight, thus reducing the wing's pilot workload. During formation flight, the wing aircraft continuously measures the lead aircraft's relative position with an ideal on-board position sensor. This information, in addition to Proportional Plus Integral feedback control, is used to maintain the aircraft in …


Electronic-To-Vibrational (E → V) Energy Transfer From Br* To Co2 And Electronic-To-Vibrational (E → V) Laser Feasibility Studies, Steven M. Katapski Nov 1992

Electronic-To-Vibrational (E → V) Energy Transfer From Br* To Co2 And Electronic-To-Vibrational (E → V) Laser Feasibility Studies, Steven M. Katapski

Theses and Dissertations

The energy transfer mechanism from photo-excited bromine atoms (Br(2P½)) to C02 is investigated in a pulsed fluorescence experiment. An excimer-pumped pulsed dye laser operating at 480 nm is used to photolyze molecular bromine, resulting in the creation of one excited state bromine atom, Br(2P½), and one ground state atom, Br(2P3/2). The electronically- excited bromine atoms (referred to as Br*) collide with and excite vibrational modes in the ground electronic state of CO2. Measurements are made of the Br* lifetimes and associated quenching processes, and the …


Cognitive Appraisals And Coping Styles Of Chronic Tension Headache Sufferers., Angela Keen Sep 1992

Cognitive Appraisals And Coping Styles Of Chronic Tension Headache Sufferers., Angela Keen

Theses and Dissertations

The existing headache literature neglects to examine the possible differences between tension headache subjects and controls with regard to cognitive appraisals or coping styles. Also, despite the traditional view that tension headaches occur in close proximity to a stressor, there is limited empirical evidence supporting this idea (Ad Hoc Committee, 1962; Gannon, Haynes, Cuevas & Chavez, 1987). In addition, the results from studies on the efficacy of the traditional muscle-contraction model of tension headaches are ambiguous (Chapman, 1986; Hursey, Holroyd, Penzien & Holm, 1985).Lazarus and Folkman (1984) suggest that a person's ideas will have the greatest influence on appraisal when …


An Environmental Audit Management Plan For The Royal Australian Air Force, Warren L. Lear Sep 1992

An Environmental Audit Management Plan For The Royal Australian Air Force, Warren L. Lear

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop an Environmental Audit Management Plan (EAMP) tailored to meet the specific requirements of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The research also examined the resources which would be required to introduce the proposed EAMP into the RAAF. The literature on environmental compliance auditing identifies a number of essential characteristics required for an effective environmental auditing program. These characteristics, in conjunction with the USEPA design guidelines for the development of audit programs for government agencies, were used to guide the development of the RAAF EAMP. Information on Australian environmental legislation, DOD/RAAF policies and …


Co-Channel Speaker Separation, Thomas S. Andrews Sep 1992

Co-Channel Speaker Separation, Thomas S. Andrews

Theses and Dissertations

In the co-channel speaker separation problem, the goal is to recover two separate speech signals from a monaural channel which contains the sum of the two speech signals. A new methodology is developed that if given that a segment of co-channel speech is separated into a stronger and weaker segment, the correct assignment of these separated segments to the appropriate talker can be made using a Linear Predictive Coding (LPC) based minimum-prediction residual computation. The uniqueness of the developed technique is that no a priori information is required of the co-channel speech signal. The information needed to appropriately assign these …


A Study Of Configuration Management At Headquarters Logistics Command (Royal Australian Air Force), John F. Turner Sep 1992

A Study Of Configuration Management At Headquarters Logistics Command (Royal Australian Air Force), John F. Turner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to provide insight into configuration management at the Royal Australian Air Force's Headquarters Logistics Command (HQLC) by determining whether current configuration management practices have any impact on HQLC's ability to meet its mission of providing logistics support. The research begins with a review of RAAF configuration management policy and procedures as applicable to in-service systems or technical equipment. A case study is used to investigate problems associated with inadequate configuration management being experienced by one HQLC engineering section, and to identify subsequent effects on engineering logistics capability. The case study results are used to …


Estimating The Operating And Support Cost Difference Between Royal Australian Air Force C-130e And C-130h Hercules Aircraft, Terrence J. Sidey Sep 1992

Estimating The Operating And Support Cost Difference Between Royal Australian Air Force C-130e And C-130h Hercules Aircraft, Terrence J. Sidey

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the operating and support cost (O & S cost) of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130E and C-130H aircraft. The purpose was twofold: to provide information about the relative O & S cost of the RAAF's old and "new" C-130 aircraft; and to increase knowledge and understanding of aircraft O & S costing within the RAAF. Preliminary research indicated that RAAF O & S costing was rudimentary and that suitable O & S data would be difficult to obtain. Accordingly, an analogous O & S cost system -- the U.S. Air Force (USAF) SABLE cost model and …


Review Of Factors Impacting Warranty Cost-Benefit Analysis For The Sensor Fuzed Weapon System, Donna E. Kehrt Sep 1992

Review Of Factors Impacting Warranty Cost-Benefit Analysis For The Sensor Fuzed Weapon System, Donna E. Kehrt

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research effort was to identify factor that affect the warranty cost-benefit analysis for the Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW) system since an essential performance requirement (EPR) warranty waiver was under consideration. Defense funding has become scarce, and the limited dollars must be spent wisely. A cost-benefit analysis should provide a relevant projection of cost-effectiveness based on the best available data. The SFW and other dormant weapon systems present difficulties in determining cost- effectiveness because the systems most probably will be non-operating, non- reusable, and non-restorable. Three recommendations were made, relevant to dormant weapon systems, that pertained to …


Risk Identification In Major Weapon Systems Acquisition In The Republic Of China Air Force, Te-Lung Tsai Sep 1992

Risk Identification In Major Weapon Systems Acquisition In The Republic Of China Air Force, Te-Lung Tsai

Theses and Dissertations

This research examined the magnitudes of the performance, supportability, life-cycle cost, schedule, and management risk factors in current Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) weapon systems acquisition programs and analyzed the risk drivers with respect to those risk factors. Mid-to-high level managers in the ROCAF and Chung-Sun Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) were surveyed to determine the extent to which various risk factors were contributing to program risk. A total of fifty-four (54) managers responded to the survey. The results indicate: high risks to performance, supportability, life cycle cost, and schedule, and moderate risk to management. Risk-drivers that contributed …


An Analysis Of Strategic Planning To Support The United States Special Operations Forces' C3 Interoperability, George M. Pierce Ii Sep 1992

An Analysis Of Strategic Planning To Support The United States Special Operations Forces' C3 Interoperability, George M. Pierce Ii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the strategic plans of USSOCOM to determine its role in resolving the C3 interoperability issues. A model using strategic controls and Theory of Constraints was used as a standard to evaluate USSOCOM's management plans. A literature search revealed that hardware and new technology were the primary concerns of previous studies. However, the literature did not address whether the lack of a formal strategy contributed to the C3 interoperability problems. Therefore, the determination was to adopt a fresh approach to the C3 interoperability issues and analyze the strategic process. The data analysis of …


The Development Of An Expert System For Hazardous Cargo Compatibility, Douglas A. Furst, Ronald E. Smith Sep 1992

The Development Of An Expert System For Hazardous Cargo Compatibility, Douglas A. Furst, Ronald E. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This research demonstrates the application of expert system technology to automate the aircraft load selection process performed when transporting hazardous cargo. The resulting computer program is an expert system named HAZARD. This system incorporates the regulations governing hazardous cargo compatibility with the heuristics used by experts in loadplanning operations. The impetus to develop such a system is the January 1993 conversion of regulation guidelines for hazardous cargo classification and management in Air Force Regulation 71-4, to a universal international standard. The Cargo Operations Division of Headquarters Air Mobility Command at Scott AFB, was concerned that this change in procedures and …


A Study Of Organizational Downsizing And Information Management Strategies, Terry L. Brown, Dale J. Long Sep 1992

A Study Of Organizational Downsizing And Information Management Strategies, Terry L. Brown, Dale J. Long

Theses and Dissertations

Organizational downsizing and strategic information management are two important trends that have developed in the business world over the last 10 years. This study was conducted to identify possible links between these two trends. It also tries to identify some potential benefits and pitfalls associated with simultaneously restructuring an organization and upgrading its information management systems. This study is initial, descriptive research in this area. Interviews were conducted with six organizations of varying size and type that had both downsized and upgraded information systems within the past five years. While the small size of the sample and time constraints on …


Issues Affecting Acquisition Strategies For Remedial Action Projects At Installation Restoration Program Sites, John E. Keoshian, William A. Kolakowski Sep 1992

Issues Affecting Acquisition Strategies For Remedial Action Projects At Installation Restoration Program Sites, John E. Keoshian, William A. Kolakowski

Theses and Dissertations

Most, if not all, of Air Force IRP restoration work is accomplished through contracting avenues. The present system of cleanup and close out of these IRP sites is inefficient, time consuming, and costly. Expedient cleanup of contaminated sites will depend in large part upon on how effectively the USAF manages its restoration contracts. Difficulties are encountered due to differences in interpretation and/or vagueness of contracting and environmental information by all parties involved. Additionally, numerous conflicts arise when different agencies apply different acquisition strategies to similar remedial actions. To compound the problem, there are few definitions and little guidance from the …


Comparative Evaluation Of A Monocular Head Mounted Display Device Versus A Flat Screen Display Device In Presenting Aircraft Maintenance Technical Data, Jeffrey A. Friend, Randy S. Grinstead Sep 1992

Comparative Evaluation Of A Monocular Head Mounted Display Device Versus A Flat Screen Display Device In Presenting Aircraft Maintenance Technical Data, Jeffrey A. Friend, Randy S. Grinstead

Theses and Dissertations

As military developers provide increasingly complex weapon system, it becomes more difficult for maintenance technicians to perform their jobs. One aspect of the technicians' world is the need to access technical information in the performance of their duties. This study investigated two electronic display systems to evaluate which enhanced technician performance more. A Head Mounted Display (HMD) device and a portable hand-held flat-screen computer were evaluated in the performance of two flightline maintenance activities. Although both display systems were fully portable and self contained, only the HMD system allowed continuous access to technical information during task performance. In most cases, …


Prioritizing Pollution Prevention Projects Using The Displaced Ideal Model For The Allocation Of Limited Funds, Scott W. Mcpherson, Debra J. Watts Sep 1992

Prioritizing Pollution Prevention Projects Using The Displaced Ideal Model For The Allocation Of Limited Funds, Scott W. Mcpherson, Debra J. Watts

Theses and Dissertations

This research developed a model to prioritize pollution prevention projects for the distribution of limited financial resources. This model was designed for use at the major command (MAJCOM) level. Each MAJCOM is allowed to select the attributes believed to be most appropriate for evaluating pollution prevention projects. The system also allows the flexibility for MAJCOMs to weight the attributes in accordance with requirements. The model uses "fuzzy logic" and the Displaced Ideal Model (DIM) to prioritize projects that currently do not have an imminent compliance deadline, but are important due to potential noncompliance with future regulations. These projects also are …