System Engineering Approach for Successful Completion of Low-Budget Aircraft Upgrades

The Air Forces of developing countries are constantly under pressure to upgrade their aircraft systems. However, the exorbitant cost required for such upgrades is the major hurdle in the undertaking of such upgrade programs. Thus there is a need to devise methods for undertaking these programs in a most cost effective way. This paper presents systems engineering approach for handling aircraft upgrade program in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The star analysis, life cycle cost (LCC) and risk assessment and safety strengthen the general system engineering approach with respect to aircraft systems. The presented approach draws from the experience gained from undertaking various aircraft upgrade programs. However, the given approach is general and applicable for other Air Forces of developing countries