2026-09-19T11:17:11Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/requestoai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/418012022-01-13T07:54:52Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581col_1721.1_131023
Michael A. Rappa.
Scofield, Jan W. (Jan William)
Sloan School of Management.
Sloan School of Management
2008-05-19T16:18:59Z
2008-05-19T16:18:59Z
1995
1995
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/41801
47005923
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1995.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-92).
This thesis examines a specific type of USAF aircraft mishaps - Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) mishaps. The thesis presents data on CFIT mishaps, causes, and efforts to reduce CFIT mishaps through the development and adoption of Ground Collision Avoidance Systems (GCAS) or similar designs - Ground Proximity Warning Systems (GPWS). GPWS exist today on some USAF aircraft, but many times these systems are inadequate (as evidenced by the continued occurrence of CFIT mishaps). Both ongoing and future initiatives by the USAF to adopt and develop better GPWS/GCAS systems were studied. An analysis was performed which studied the cost to the USAF (and the U.S. taxpayer) as a result of CFIT mishaps, and compared with an analysis of the cost to develop and implement improved GPWS/GCAS systems. The results show conclusively that installing GCAS/GPWS on a majority of USAF aircraft is cost effective. Technology exist today which could improve existing GPWS performance, and although efforts to improve GPWS are moving forward, some resistance does exist. Possible reasons for resistance of GCAS/GPWS adoption were studied and several recommendations were made on how to improve the adoption of these systems within the USAF.
by Jan W. Scofield.
S.M.
94 p.
eng
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.I.T. theses are protected by
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http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
Sloan School of Management.
Benefit analysis and feasibility of ground collision avoidance systems on United States Air Force aircraft
Ground collision avoidance systems on United States Air Force aircraft
Thesis
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<Abstract>This thesis examines a specific type of USAF aircraft mishaps - Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) mishaps. The thesis presents data on CFIT mishaps, causes, and efforts to reduce CFIT mishaps through the development and adoption of Ground Collision Avoidance Systems (GCAS) or similar designs - Ground Proximity Warning Systems (GPWS). GPWS exist today on some USAF aircraft, but many times these systems are inadequate (as evidenced by the continued occurrence of CFIT mishaps). Both ongoing and future initiatives by the USAF to adopt and develop better GPWS/GCAS systems were studied. An analysis was performed which studied the cost to the USAF (and the U.S. taxpayer) as a result of CFIT mishaps, and compared with an analysis of the cost to develop and implement improved GPWS/GCAS systems. The results show conclusively that installing GCAS/GPWS on a majority of USAF aircraft is cost effective. Technology exist today which could improve existing GPWS performance, and although efforts to improve GPWS are moving forward, some resistance does exist. Possible reasons for resistance of GCAS/GPWS adoption were studied and several recommendations were made on how to improve the adoption of these systems within the USAF.</Abstract>
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