Applying the findings of the rotorcraft strategic analysis and recognizing the need for rapid cross-program/ competency/ platform support within the Naval Rotory Wing (NRW) Research, Development, Acquisition, Test & Evaluation (RDAT&E) community, NACRA has organized into a flat structure, featuring a broad spectrum of mutual supporting expertise.
NACRA cross-platform initiatives include, but are not limited to:
Technology Development
To overcome stovepipes and to help the command achieve greater efficiencies in program cost, performance and schedule, NACRA's capability to rapidly form project-based engineering support teams to support specific projects or challenges within the programs of record or competencies provides technical "muscle" to the NRW community:
- NRW RDAT&E ad hoc engineering support
- Rapidly task organized small engineering teams to complete cross-program/competency projects
- Engineering force-multiplier for the programs of record
- Mentorship of junior engineer
Technology Demonstration
During FY10, and as a direct result of strategic study, NACRA established (in concert and close coordination with the competencies, programs and other NAVAIR organizations) a vertical lift test bed capability to rapidly develop, demonstrate and apply critical technologies/ innovative material solutions that enhance the capability, affordability, readiness and safety of DoN rotorcraft platforms.
- Recognized as lead for NRW rapid testbedding and technical development
- Avenue for small business to demonstrate new technologies
- Demonstrate technologies with potential to fill capability gaps
- Rapid warfighter response
- Demonstrate and evaluate TRL of new technologies
Sustainment Support
Building on NACRA's resident logistical expertise and experience, the Team is reducing total ownership costs across the NRW through systematic cross-platform investigation and analysis in support of both programs of record and competencies. Specific efforts in condition-based maintenance, as well as maintenance trend analysis have already yielded significant returns for the Warfighter related to dynamic components, common avionics and logistical elements. Specific efforts include:
- Support for the NAVAIR CBM+ enterprise team
- Development of an FMS logistical analysis and support capability (Naval International Helicopter Technical Coordination Team)
- Rapid maintenance trend analysis for the programs of record
Information Sharing
NACRA's strategic communication organization, planning and execution capability is helping breakdown the NRW community's stovepipes by educating target audiences on command capabilities benefitting NRW RDAT&E, maintaining contact with industry and academia and providing venues for information sharing, and developing information management/communication tools and support that enable NACRA/NRW RDAT&E. NACRA is also functioning as the NRW Learning Organization model/pilot in the NAVAIR-wide Learning Organization developmental initiative.