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Theses and Dissertations

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An Empirical Investigation Of The Integrated Weapon System Management Concept Of Seamless Processes, Timothy H. Surabian Sep 1995

A Model For Forecasting Pollution Prevention Life Cycle Costs For Air Force Major Weapon Systems, Mark E. Garner, Jennifer S. Kirchoffer Sep 1995

Calibration Of The Price S Software Cost Model, James C. Galonsky Sep 1995

Collisional Dynamics Of The Rubidium 5²P Levels, Matthew D. Rotondaro Sep 1995

Collisional Dynamics Of The Rubidium 52P Levels, Matthew D. Rotondaro

Theses and Dissertations

The collisional dynamics of the 5²P levels in rubidium has been examined using steady-state laser absorption and spectrally-resolved laser induced fluorescence techniques. State-to-state cross-sections for energy transfer between Zeeman split levels ranged from 16-248 ^°A² for collisions with nitrogen and rare gases. These energy transfer cross-sections exhibit a significant dependence on (J,mj) state and certain symmetry relationships are demonstrated. A sub-Doppler spectrum of the Zeeman split levels indicating the isotopic shift in the D₁ line of 106 ± 35 was obtained using laser saturation spectroscopy.

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The Process Of Technology Transfer: A Case Study Of The National Aero-Space Plane Program, Brett T. Smith Sep 1995

The Process Of Technology Transfer: A Case Study Of The National Aero-Space Plane Program, Brett T. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Due to reduced funding levels and increased pressure towards cooperation with industry, government research and development (R&D) organizations are becoming increasingly involved in the transfer of technology to the commercial sector. However, the process of technology transfer is complex, and transfer activities are being applied inconsistently across the Department of Defense. This research explores the approaches, processes and mechanisms to accomplish technology transfer. A comprehensive literature review documents many of the transfer concepts that have been proposed or are currently in use. A detailed case study then examines the technology transfer efforts of an advanced government research organization: the National …

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Strategic Planning, Performance Measurement, And The Government Performance And Results Act Of 1993: An Exploratory Study Of Aeronautical Systems Center, Miro Skrodzki Sep 1995

Strategic Planning, Performance Measurement, And The Government Performance And Results Act Of 1993: An Exploratory Study Of Aeronautical Systems Center, Miro Skrodzki

Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluates strategic planning and performance measurement within Aeronautical Systems Center (AS C) to determine if these processes are conducive to effective implementation of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (OPRA). OPRA is a law that will soon affect every federal government agency, and is intended to redirect government attention from internal activities, processes, and products to external outcomes and results. A review of literature allowed the researcher to identify two elements of strategic planning and performance measurement that are critical to effective implementation of OPRA: measurable strategic goals and objectives related to outcomes; and measurement of …

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Motivational Factors In Combat: A Comparison Of German And American Soldiers In World War Ii Using Content Analysis, Douglas J. Traversa Sep 1995

Motivational Factors In Combat: A Comparison Of German And American Soldiers In World War Ii Using Content Analysis, Douglas J. Traversa

Theses and Dissertations

To determine whether content analysis could be used to successfully identify major combat motivational factors for individuals, this research focused on soldiers who fought in World War II. Combat narratives written by men who fought in World War II were examined. Ten German and ten American works were examined. Of these, five of each were the works of flyers and the other five were the works of ground troops. The following factors were examined: "primary group" influence, ideology, attitudes toward the enemy, group leadership, national leadership, personal gratification, propaganda, religion, vindictiveness, desire to end the war and go home, coercion, …

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An Analysis Of The Purpose And Development Of Management Reserve, Kevin T. Gould Sep 1995

An Analysis Of The Purpose And Development Of Management Reserve, Kevin T. Gould

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates both the purpose and development of management reserve budget as it pertains to the Cost-Schedule Control Systems Criteria outlined in DoD Instruction 5(X)O.2. With the Defense Department facing an environment of shrinking budgets, it is becoming increasingly critical for them to manage their acquisition programs as efficient and effective as possible. The objectives of this study were to gain insight, from both a government and commercial perspective, on both the purpose and the development of the contractor's management reserve budget. Contractor system descriptions and interviews of individuals associated with the government acquisition process were used to document …

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Calibration Of The System Evaluation And Estimation Of Resources Software Estimation Model (Seer-Sem) For The Air Force Space And Missile Systems Center (Smc), Kolin D. Rathmann Sep 1995

Calibration Of The System Evaluation And Estimation Of Resources Software Estimation Model (Seer-Sem) For The Air Force Space And Missile Systems Center (Smc), Kolin D. Rathmann

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined whether calibration of the SEER-SEM impacted the effort estimates generated by the model for software developments- A historical database was provided by the Space and Missile System's Center Los Angeles, and used as the model's input data. The data was stratified into four usable platforms, military ground command and-control, military ground signal processing, military specification avionics, and military mobile. Each platform's data sets were split, the majority of points for calibration of the model, and the rest for model validation. The accuracy of SEER to this particular data set is limited, yet the model did respond to …

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Calibration Of The Software Architecture Sizing And Estimation Tool (Saset), Carl D. Vegas Sep 1995

Calibration Of The Software Architecture Sizing And Estimation Tool (Saset), Carl D. Vegas

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempted to analyze the effect of calibration on the performance of the SASET computer software cost estimating model. Data used for input into the model were drawn from the most current USAF SMC Software Database (SWDB). Once all the records to be used for analysis were identified, the DBMS-Calibration tool (which is part of SASET) was used to perform regression analysis on the relationship between program size (measured in SLOC) and the effort required to develop the program (measured in man-months). Productivity information reported from this tool was then input into equations used to calculate the Productivity Calibration …

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Air Force Materiel Command (Afmc) Modeling, Simulation, And Analysis (Ms&A) Interactive Database, Timothy J. Wagner Sep 1995

Air Force Materiel Command (Afmc) Modeling, Simulation, And Analysis (Ms&A) Interactive Database, Timothy J. Wagner

Theses and Dissertations

This study develops a high level, unifying taxonomy for Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis (MS&A) products for the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). AFMC is concerned that limited resources are being expended on duplicative MS&A efforts. No mechanism exists that would confirm or deny this concern, so it was suggested that a database could be developed to catalog and track AFMC's MS&A inventory. First, it was necessary to determine the information that a decision maker needs to select a suitable MS&A product. Potential traits and characteristics were identified through review of current regulatory guidance, interviews with MS&A users, and a study …

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A Calibration Of The Revic Software Cost Estimating Model, Betty G. Weber Sep 1995

A Calibration Of The Revic Software Cost Estimating Model, Betty G. Weber

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the change in performance resulting from calibration of the REVIC software cost model and whether calibration improved the model's ability to estimate software development costs. Three calibrations were conducted on two operating environments using the SMC database. The calibrations consisted of one coefficient only and two coefficient and exponent calibrations, using different procedures. Analysis of the goodness of fit" was accomplished using MRE, MMRE, RMS, RRMS, and the prediction test to measure the model's improvement in predicting ability. The Wilcoxon and Wilk-Shapiro tests were used to test for normality of the sample data. The author concluded that …

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An Evaluation Of The Appropriateness Of The Defense Logistics Agency's Model Requirements Model, Harry A. Berry, Edward E. Tatge Sep 1995

An Evaluation Of The Appropriateness Of The Defense Logistics Agency's Model Requirements Model, Harry A. Berry, Edward E. Tatge

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the appropriateness of the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) requirements model in managing consumable support for Air Force peculiar items. Currently, DLA uses a lot sizing technique referred to as the classic Economic Order Quantity, (EOQ) model. One of the key assumptions of this model is that demand is constant and continuous. Yet with Air Force bases using a lot sizing technique to place their demands for consumable items to DLA, it is apparent that the demand pattern that DLA faces, at least for Air Force peculiar items, is not constant and continuous. This study looks at the …

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The Impact Of Priority Consistency On The Performance Of A Job Shop, Kenneth W. Bailey Sep 1995

The Impact Of Priority Consistency On The Performance Of A Job Shop, Kenneth W. Bailey

Theses and Dissertations

This study introduces the construct of consistency to production operations management research. As a job passes through a job shop, its priority may or may not remain consistent relative to other jobs in the system. A new classification of priority rules is introduced. Consistent priority rules maintain a jobs priority relative to other jobs throughout the system. Inconsistent priority rules allow a job's relative priority to change as it moves through the system. This study is an initial investigation into the effect of consistency on performance. A simulation experiment was conducted using a full two- factorial repeated measures design with …

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The Foundation Of United States Security Assistance To Egypt: 1969-1979, Donald S. Massey Sep 1995

The Foundation Of United States Security Assistance To Egypt: 1969-1979, Donald S. Massey

Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to identify the role of U.S. foreign policy in shaping Egypt's transition from Soviet economic and military aid to U.S. security assistance from 1969 to 1979 and the factors shaping that transition. An historical analysis of the Nixon, Ford, and Carter Administrations and their foreign policy towards Egypt and the Middle East during the period in question was employed to complete this study. The researcher determined that U.S. diplomacy and dialogue in negotiating an Egyptian-Israeli peace resulted in the end to Soviet economic and military aid to Egypt. During the negotiating process, U.S. economic and military aid …

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U.S. Security Assistance To Latin America, Valerie S. Payne Sep 1995

U.S. Security Assistance To Latin America, Valerie S. Payne

Theses and Dissertations

The United States employs security assistance as an instrument of foreign policy. This thesis examines how security assistance was used to achieve U.S. foreign policy objectives in Latin America since the end of World War II. Qualitative analysis was used consisting of historical and archival research of government documents and secondary sources. A literature review was conducted to discover general trends concerning security assistance to include its establishment as an arm of foreign policy, its problems, and its purpose. Presidential policies toward Latin America are analyzed during and after World War II, to include Kennedy's Alliance for Progress, Nixon Doctrine, …

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Schedule Management Competencies For Department Of Defense Program Managers, Jeffrey F. Brown Sep 1995

Schedule Management Competencies For Department Of Defense Program Managers, Jeffrey F. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

With ongoing public scrutiny of defense system acquisitions, due to numerous program failures resulting from cost and schedule overruns, now, more than ever, cost and schedule-management competencies are critical to program success. This research examined the schedule-management competencies required of defense program managers. A schedule-management competency model was developed from a foundation of past research. The model was evaluated through a mail survey of 484 intermediate and senior level military program managers assigned to Air Force Materiel Command. The results provided by 243 respondents indicate that 25 of the 28 competencies in the model were valuable to program managers and …

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United States Security Assistance 1977-1980: Human Rights Issues Affecting Arms Transfers, Gary E. Gordon Sep 1995

United States Security Assistance 1977-1980: Human Rights Issues Affecting Arms Transfers, Gary E. Gordon

Theses and Dissertations

The 1970s were a period of great transition for the United States. Plagued by the Vietnam conflict, a conflict which we could never win because of poor planning and lack of resolve by government officials in the highest office, and the Watergate debacle, where our government veered out of control, the time was ripe for change. Which is precisely why the ideals and philosophies of one James Earl Carter enabled him to ascend to become the 39th President of the United States. President Carter entered office pledging the United States would lead the way in the restriction of weapons exports …

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Incorporating Performance Heteroscedasticity In The Evaluation Of Job Performance, Max R. Massey Sep 1995

Incorporating Performance Heteroscedasticity In The Evaluation Of Job Performance, Max R. Massey

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relation of agreeableness and experience with performance heteroscedasticity in small groups. Personality assessments were administered to 55 US Air Force personnel. The participants were placed in three groups based on the personality dimension of agreeableness. Group 1 consisted of eleven sub-groups of randomly paired individuals ranked high on agreeableness. Group 2 consisted of eleven subgroups of randomly paired individuals ranked low on agreeableness. Members of group 3 worked individually. Bach dyadic group and individual participant completed S load-planning scenarios over a five-day period. The data obtained over the 3 days were used to assess the variability …

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Non-Imaging Infrared Spectral Target Detection, Matthew R. Whiteley Sep 1995

Non-Imaging Infrared Spectral Target Detection, Matthew R. Whiteley

Theses and Dissertations

Automatic detection of time-critical mobile targets using spectral-only infrared radiance data is explored. A quantification of the probability of detection, false alarm rate, and total error rate associated with this detection process is provided. A set of classification features is developed for the spectral data, and these features are utilized in a Bayesian classifier singly and in combination to provide target detection. The results of this processing are presented and sensitivity of the class separability to target set, target configuration, diurnal variations, mean contrast, and ambient temperature estimation errors is explored. This work introduces the concept of atmospheric normalization of …

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An Investigation Into Aircraft Availability, Michael S. Kapitzke Sep 1995

An Investigation Into Aircraft Availability, Michael S. Kapitzke

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force currently uses an expected value model in the Aircraft Availability Model (AAM) to calculate aircraft availability. However, even with the application of Lean Logistics, the failure-demand rate and the depot repair time are not fixed and the mean value is still used in the model. This research looks at the effect of the magnitude of the variance of the distributions of failure-demand rate and depot repair time. Also, this research evaluates the effect of variable mean failure-demand rates on the variability of aircraft availability. A simulation model was developed which applied the variable failure-demand rates and depot …

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A Comparison Of Consistent Versus Inconsistent Scheduling Rules In A Flow Shop Environment, Nicola Gismondi Sep 1995

A Comparison Of Consistent Versus Inconsistent Scheduling Rules In A Flow Shop Environment, Nicola Gismondi

Theses and Dissertations

A consistent scheduling rule is one which will ensure a job's priority (relative to all other job's) will remain constant as it moves from queue to queue in a production system. Previous research concerning flow shop priority scheduling rules focused on comparison of either consistent or inconsistent rules. Conversely, this study sought to provide additional insight by comprising consistent and inconsistent rules in a flow shop environment The Air Force uses both types of rules in maintenance and logistics scheduling. Time and money can be saved if the scheduling managers can better understand the effect of consistency on a system. …

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A Comparative Evaluation Of Voice Versus Keypad Input For Manipulating Electronic Technical Data For Flight Line Maintenance Technicians, David A. Chapman, James R. Simmons Sep 1995

A Comparative Evaluation Of Voice Versus Keypad Input For Manipulating Electronic Technical Data For Flight Line Maintenance Technicians, David A. Chapman, James R. Simmons

Theses and Dissertations

Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals will soon become a requirement for aircraft maintenance technicians. An important aspect in their development is the selection of an input device that will enhance, rather than impede, technician performance. The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate two types of input devices that can he used: a voice recognition input and a keypad input. Studies to date have evaluated the superiority of digital data over paper data, and advantages of using a Head Mounted Display Device over a flat screen laptop computer. No research has evaluated the input device. An experiment was conducted to determine …

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An Air Force Guide To Team Building, Roy M. Gozum Sep 1995

An Air Force Guide To Team Building, Roy M. Gozum

Theses and Dissertations

Team structures are used extensively in civilian, government, and military organizations to accomplish modem task demands that almost always exceed the capabilities of single individuals. As team structures became larger and more complex, managers realized the need for formal team building education. Team building programs serve to facilitate an environment for productive teamwork. However, despite the apparent importance of teams, most organizations overlook the implementation of formal team building programs. Therefore, the purpose of this research is two-fold. First, this thesis examines the evolution and importance of teams, and the subsequent need for the development of formal team building programs. …

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Just In Time Manufacturing: A Migration From Materials Requirements Planning, Scott A. Koehler Sep 1995

Just In Time Manufacturing: A Migration From Materials Requirements Planning, Scott A. Koehler

Theses and Dissertations

Manufacturing planning and control systems play an important role in an organization's effectiveness. Over the past twenty to thirty years, U.S. manufacturing companies have faced increasing competition for market share from Japanese and other Pacific rim countries. This thesis will investigate the evolutionary path followed by manufacturing companies that have implemented various manufacturing planning and control systems. Specifically, Materials Requirements Planning (MRP) and Just In Time (JIT) production will be analyzed. MRP is a means of convening demand for the final product into a requirements schedule for the various components comprising that product. The JIT philosophy calls for continuously improving …

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Identifying Situational Factors Contributing To Combat Performance During Desert Shield And Desert Storm, Gary E. Jandzinski Sep 1995

Identifying Situational Factors Contributing To Combat Performance During Desert Shield And Desert Storm, Gary E. Jandzinski

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research into morale, cohesion, and motivation as determinants of performance during combat concentrates primarily on front-line ground troops. This research focuses on determinants of high performance involving United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft maintenance personnel in rear-echelon contingency bases during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The significant amount of combat force projected from USAF contingency bases and the likely continued use of such force justifies analysis of determinants of performance for this environment. Basic situational factors (information, food, living conditions, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) activities, mail and phone service, and entertainment) are potentially influential in motivating maintenance personnel …

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Assessing The Impacts Of Lean Logistics Infrastructures On Strategic Airlift Capability, Russ C. Major Sep 1995

Assessing The Impacts Of Lean Logistics Infrastructures On Strategic Airlift Capability, Russ C. Major

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to compare two lean logistics infrastructures to See which one would provide better support for the C-5 aircraft. The level of support was defined as the average number of mission capable parts (MICAPs) created by system operation. One infrastructure had the central storage facility (CSF) located at the depot and the other had a geographically separate CSF. A computer simulation model developed by the Air Force Logistics Management Agency was run for a period of twelve years and the average number of MICAPs for each system was collected. The data was then analyzed using …

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A Preliminary Analysis Of The Theoretical Parameters Of Organizational Learning, Jeffery D. Loyd Sep 1995

A Preliminary Analysis Of The Theoretical Parameters Of Organizational Learning, Jeffery D. Loyd

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to develop an instrument capable of measuring the theoretical parameters of organizational learning that could be used as a diagnostic tool to measure an organization's learning potential. This goal was accomplished by developing a pilot questionnaire based on 27 potential learning parameters. The potential parameters of learning were extracted from the literature. A scale of behavioral statements was developed for each potential parameter. The pilot questionnaire was completed by 108 Air Force personnel in Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) graduate education programs. The results confirmed 85% of the original scales. Ten refined scales …

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The Effect Of A Self-Care Education Program On A Military Medical Beneficiary Population, Christopher S. Svehlak Sep 1995

The Effect Of A Self-Care Education Program On A Military Medical Beneficiary Population, Christopher S. Svehlak

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research in the area of self-care has focused on medical beneficiaries in a wide range of settings, but the current or former members of the United States Armed Services have largely been ignored. This research concentrates on designing, implementing, and reporting on a study of the impact of a self-care education program on a military beneficiary population. Specifically, retired and active-duty households, whose medical records are maintained by the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Medical Center, were systematically randomly sampled and invited to participate in the study. Those households who responded were given their choice of a self-care book, and …

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Calibration Of The Software Life Cycle Model (Slim) To The Space And Missile Systems Center (Smc) Software Database (Swdb), Robert K. Kressin Sep 1995

Calibration Of The Software Life Cycle Model (Slim) To The Space And Missile Systems Center (Smc) Software Database (Swdb), Robert K. Kressin

Theses and Dissertations

Several sophisticated Department of Defense (DOD) weapon and space systems depend on a variety of mission-critical computer software applications. Because of the increasing costs to develop these applications, and today's austere defense budget, accurately estimating the costs to develop software is gaining a great deal of attention within the DOD. Unfortunately, software cost estimation models have been encountering difficulties in accurately estimating the costs of software development. However, research has shown that calibrating one's software cost estimation model can improve the predictive capability of that model. As such, this study focused on calibrating the SLIM cost model to sets of …

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