Help Text:
Purpose:
To narrow down possible sources for materials and processes applying to Critical Technologies (CTs) for preferred system design alternatives. Understanding the materials and processes (M&P) availability of sources provides essential information on key processes and technology gaps that may exist when one does an Analysis of Alternatives in the Technology Development (TD) phase. The Alternative Systems Review also answers the question, “can this solution be developed in a timely manner at an acceptable level of risk?” Manufacturing feasibility is of critical importance in this review to increase the probability of meeting the cost and schedule constraints for each alternative concept.
Sources of Information:
The majority of the information to an industrial base assessment at this program stage will come from the contractor’s design engineers and vendor/supply managers.
Questions:
1. Have industrial base capabilities and gaps/risks been identified for key technologies, components, and/or key processes?
Additional Considerations:
• Are industrial base studies current and do you possess the most recent information regarding industrial capabilities that apply to CTs?
• Are any strategic/critical materials needed for CTs obtained only from sole/foreign sources?
• Are sources for critical materials financially sound with multiple products and limited dependence on military products for profitability?
• Do critical materials have significant commercial application or have application to more than one service?
• Are critical materials on the list for diminishing manufacturing sources/material shortages?
• What are the limitations on using certain materials for US defense purposes?
• Have the preliminary manufacturing processes and risks been identified for prototypes?
• Have required investments for technology development, to mature design and manufacturing related technologies, been identified and funded?
• Have initial producibility assessments of design concepts been completed?
Lessons Learned:
• Sources previously available for certain materials and/or processes may no longer exist; therefore, it is essential that the industrial base analysis be up-to-date.
• For certain systems/programs, the use of foreign sources may either be proscribed or limited due to the strategic nature of the materials.
• Foreign sources for some materials or processes may refuse to sell to US weapons programs, in which case, workarounds must be established early in the system life-cycle.
• As designs fluctuate, Industrial Capability Analyses need to be constantly updated.
• Fragility of the IB and criticality of critical components needs to be considered in the IBCA.
