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Automated Maximum Density Analysis Tool for Spot Factor Generation
Navy SBIR 2008.2 - Topic N08-125 NAVAIR - Mrs. Janet McGovern - [email protected] Opens: May 19, 2008 - Closes: June 18, 2008 N08-125 TITLE: Automated Maximum Density Analysis Tool for Spot Factor Generation TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Ground/Sea Vehicles ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-251 Program Manager for Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation. OBJECTIVE: Develop a tool to automatically generate an aircraft�s spot factor, saving a significant amount of workload over the present manual methods. DESCRIPTION: The maximum density spot factor, or "spot factor," is a metric that determines the handling and spotting characteristics of aircraft on carrier flight or hangar decks. It is used as the contractual means to limit the size of new, developmental aircraft. The setting of objective and threshold spot factor requirements is an important aspect of aircraft weapon system contract document preparation, and the review of emerging design concepts against these requirements is a key step in assuring the delivery of ship-compatible aircraft to the Fleet. The Navy performs this process for several customers. For aircraft programs, we determine the spot factors for new aircraft designs and compare them to contractual requirements. For ship programs, we analyze new ship platform configurations and predict their aircraft handling capabilities. For the Fleet, we utilize the spot factors to predict aircraft complement area requirements and ship platform capabilities. The current process of generating a spot factor is labor intensive and iterative. Aircraft are packed as tightly as possible into safe parking areas of the ship and then the aircraft are counted. This used to be done with scale plastic templates and a table; currently a computer aided design (CAD) package is used. This process is performed iteratively until a maximum number of aircraft is reached. Then a formula is applied to determine the spot factor. The Navy is seeking a tool that could automatically calculate the spot factor given the aircraft and deck dimensions. This tool will have to perform at least as well as a human subject matter expert; i.e., fit the maximum number of aircraft into safe parking areas. The tool must generate an AutoCAD 2006 drawing of the maximum density spot using provided ship and aircraft templates. PHASE I: Design a tool to automatically generate an aircraft�s spot factor and determine the feasibility of the proposed approach to achieve maximum density. PHASE II: Develop prototype software to be hosted on a Windows/Navy compatible computer. Demonstrate the ability of the software to perform at least as well as a subject matter expert. PHASE III: Produce production versions of the software. Provide user documentation as well as editors to input any new aircraft or decks. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS:
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