...Introduction: This case study discussing the failure of the project “Aerial” due to the lack of communication between TerraCog management and design, development departments. Background: In earlier starting days 1977, TerraCog providing high end sonar equipment to serious sports fishermen and boaters (Beer & Yong, 2008). Around the late 1990s, TerraCog started providing high quality GPS units, these units sold well, as the company already created a name for themselves. Problem: When a competitor “Posthaste “introduced a GPS prototype called BirdsI´ that displays satellite imagery, the TerraCog management signed off the competition as a fad but the product BirdsI´ was a huge success. In order not to lose the market, TerraCog management Richard Fierro, the company president, and Ed Pryor, the vice president, launched a GPS with satellite imagery named as “Project Aerial” without discussing with the design and development departments. Due to various reasons production cost, Unavailability of new technology better than BirdsI and busy with other projects initially they are not supporting the “Project Aerial” Opportunities: TerraCog had an opportunity to open door communication within different departments, this would give employees opportunity to contribute to the success of the new product. An employer’s attitude towards co-workers reflects in the quality of the work. By improving their interpersonal relationships, the company can regain their customer base. Recommendations:...
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...Written Analysis and Communication I Assignment 1: Terracog Global Positioning Systems: Conflict and communication on project Aerial Submitted to Dr. Gita Chaudhuri By Viswesh Kurtarkar Section: B On 08.07.2014 ------------------------------------------------- Business Memorandum Date: 08 Jul. 14 To: Emma Richardson, Executive Vice President From: Viswesh Kurtarkar, Executive Assistant Subject: Recommendation to Terracog’s new venture, Project Aerial. Case Analysis summary Terracog specializes in high-quality global positioning systems. They are skilled at translating market and user feedback into outstanding products. Their GPS line of products were the finest in the market, applauded for its durability, navigational accuracy and value added features. In October 2006, Posthaste launched BirdsI, a handheld GPS that displayed satellite imagery, and it took the market by storm. Terracog had not anticipated such response from the market as they felt the users we smart enough to choose performance over graphics. The large response from the market for Posthaste’s BirdsI saw Terracog decide to launch Project Aerial by October 2008, it very own product with satellite imagery. As time was a constraint to get the product in the market, it was decided to redesign the existing GPS platform. The Design team provided the product design as requested by sales team by December 2007. Initial cost estimates of $550 provided by production department were too...
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...ARMY AVIATION OPERATIONS IN LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT Introduction “Foot slogging” by infantrymen has been most important and fundamental to address an insurgency; however, there are limitations to their mobility. To increase their versatility, the Portuguese introduced two contrasting means, the helicopter and the horse. While there were other, more conventional solutions to the mobility problem, such as trucks, jeeps, and light armored cars, these vehicles required at least crude roads, had other terrain limitations, and were vulnerable to land mines. The advent of the helicopter and its application in counter-insurgency began with the British in Malaya on 1 April 1950, with the formation of the Far East Casualty Air Evacuation Flight at Seletar with strength of three Westland S-51 Dragonfly helicopters. During the Malayan Emergency the British used their helicopters primarily for casualty evacuation and later for airlifting troops. Question that looms ahead for the future, no matter what the outcome in Jammu and Kashmir, and North Eastern States, is how the army aviation succeeds against fierce insurgency in strategy and capabilities. The Taliban’s resurgence, tenacious resistance against NATO forces in Afghanistan, Al Qaeda’s ability to elude United States forces, and the trouble Israel has had in trying to subdue violence in tiny Southern Lebanon (Hezbollah) and tinier Gaza (Hamas) deepen concern that even world’s finest militaries have problems against any kind...
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...Emma Richardson is in a dilemma whether to go ahead with the Project Aerial or not. The poor decision making process is one of the main reasons for the dilemma caused. Had the management of TerraCog not ignored the idea of shifting to satellite imagery as soon as Posthaste did it, the damage would have been much less. The organisation suffers from inefficient group structure. The decisions were not made in the right manner. When customer requests increased, Richard Fiero on his own decided to change his mind on satellite imagery, without discussing it with anyone else. Now the product development team is not happy with the decision made because it feels that there are several other exciting projects that are being compromised upon. Moreover, with a decision of go/no-go to be made by Emma, the large size of the group involved again threatens to thwart the decision making process. The inter department conflicts add to the dilemma. The sales team headed by Ed Prior feels the new product Aerial should be priced below $425 to capture the lost market share to the competitors. The design team headed by Allen Roth, redesigned within the existing GPS platform so as to speed up the development process and avoid costs of new moldings and major configurations. As per their estimate of the pricing team, the price for sale would, at the minimum, be $475. The price is quite too high for the sales team to consider. The design team has pressed the production team to reconsider the price estimates;...
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...I. Current Situation: A. Current Performance: International Satellite Images (ISI) had been building a satellite to image the world at a resolution of one meter. At the resolution, a trained photo interpreter could identify virtually any military and civilian vehicle as well as numerous other military and non-military objects. The ISI team had been preparing a proposal for a Japanese government contractor. The contract called for a commitment of a minimum imagery purchase of $10 million per year for five years. In a recent executive staff meeting it became clear that the ISI satellite camera subcontractor was having trouble with the development of a thermal stabilizer for the instrument. It appeared that the development delay would be at least one year and possibly 18 months. When Jim approached Fred Ballard, the President of ISI, for advice on what launch date to put into the proposal, Fred told Jim to use the published date since that was still the official launch date. II. External Environment: A. General Environment: For the problem ofISI satellite camera subcontractor it appeared development delay would be at least one year and possibly 18 months. For that reasonthe level of trust between the parties was very low since the Japanese insisted upon completion guarantees. External forces include: Industry practice is to publicize optimistic completion dates that are rarely met. The financial industry that has profitability expectations which may be impossible...
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...This data is collected from a vantage point using measurement devices designed with remote sensing in mind. One of the original examples of remote sensing still in use today is the use of cameras mounted on aircraft to produce aerial photography. The objects on these photographs are then identified (identification is discussed on page Error: Reference source not found) after close examination and are then digitised according to their features and significance. The data itself can contain any feature or characteristic about the observed phenomenon, for example, the features of a particular object in a group, or the characteristics of the group as a whole. The devices used for remote sensing (referred to as sensors) can be mounted on orbital and suborbital platforms. Orbital platforms are those situated in Earth’s orbit, such as satellites. Suborbital platforms are located closer to Earth, such as aircraft. There is no specific distance defined for remote sensing, meaning that the sensor could be, for example, one-hundred kilometres or one centimetre from the phenomenon observed and still qualify as remote. Most sensors record EMR (electromagnetic radiation), which changes depending on the properties and quantities of the phenomenon observed, allowing objects and their attributes to be differentiated. Sonar is another form of remote sensing, but it is not used nearly as often since EMR is usually better suited. Remote sensing has several advantages to other methods of...
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...How to Write a Term Paper I. Choosing a Topic: For this paper you get to choose your topic, so pick something that interests you. Once you have decided what you want to write about in general terms, refine that general idea to a specific topic for your paper. Keep in mind that you have a maximum of 12 pages of text to work with, so your topic is going to have to be pretty narrow in its focus. Also bear in mind that this is a research project, not a high school report; it should center around a thesis that you will prove in your paper. Example: I am interested in World War II, but I’m pretty sure that I can’t cover six years of global warfare in fifteen pages of text. Let’s see...I’m more interested in the War in Europe than in the Pacific, so that narrows that down some, but I need something tighter. I like airplanes, so something about the air war would be interesting, and there was this documentary on the History Channel about the Battle of Britain last month...but even the Battle of Britain is too big for twelve pages. Right, have to narrow it down some more here...do a little preliminary research and reading. Ah, here it is: the German Air Force started out trying to destroy the Royal Air Force by bombing RAF airfields, but then switched to targeting British cities. This decision cost them the battle, because it let the RAF rebuild its fighter strength and shoot down enough German bombers to force the Germans to call off the offensive. Wait a minute. ...
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...CIVIL AND SOCIAL USES OF DRONES Name Course Title Instructor’s name Date Introduction A drone is a remote proscribed pilotless airplane as well as a projectile. A broader definition of this is an unmanned plane as well as a ship that can steer itself separately, without individual control or past the line of prospect. Consequently, this paper will attempt to explain on the civil along with the social uses of drones. There are growing numbers of in-flight drone platforms, comprising of the very energetic do it yourself society. The machines are getting to be more vigorous, with the potential to sustain heavier payloads for extensive flight periods. As with the increasing interest as well as the potential for these tools to tackle novel areas of requests, it is important to address on the civil uses of drones. Thus, among this uses they do comprise of the agricultural sector. Basing on various researches conducted by the “Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International” the news suggested that. The agricultural use of drones could involve 70% of the market. The explanation pointed out for this comprised of the desire to monitor crops strictly so as to enhance...
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...process and subsequently protest for the Air Force’s KC-X refueling tanker. The main participants for the new refueling tanker contract were Boeing and Northrop Grumman (NGC) as prime contractor through a joint venture with the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS). The Boeing Corporation has been the standard in the aerial defense industry. Their challengers, NGC and EADS, the owner of the Airbus, comprised of two very formable entities capable of taking on the aerospace giant Boeing. There were a lot at stake. Boeing has considered in being the “pride of American aerospace” unseated from the top perch of the aerospace industry by losing military contract potentially worth about $100 billion dollars. (Herszenhorn and Bailey, 2008) Overall, Boeing was a heavy favorite to win the contract being that it has manufactured tankers in the past for the Air Force. Two weeks later after the announcement, Boeing filed an appeal through the General Accountability Office (GAO) to protest the Air Force’s decision. This paper will discuss the Boeing’s basis of appeal and contrast them with the GAO’s findings in their protest. The source selection of the aerial refueling tanker contract became one of the most controversial procurement process in the history of the United States. Boeing versus Airbus: The end results becomes an Air Force Debacle A protest bid begins when an offeror in a government source selection believes that the government agency has made an error significant...
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...Drones Today LAS-432 Tech, Society, and Culture Fernando Barreto Koop Ferwerda Victor Saffings DeVry University Professor Rollo Table of Contents Thesis statement 2 Introduction 2 Brief Description of the Technology 3 Clarification of characteristics; drones vs. robot 4 Comparison between Drone and Robot: 5 Figure 1.1 5 Historical Development 6 Evolution of drone technology 7 Current exploits of drone technology 8 Future applications 10 Political and Legal Influences 11 Review/ Explanation of current federal law 13 Economic Questions and Considerations 14 Figure 2.1 15 Psychological Considerations and Sociological Effects 18 Cultural Context 20 Implications on the Environments 23 Drone Patrol Rivers for Pollution 24 “How Quad-rotors are Heroes in Times of Disaster” 24 Moral and Ethical Implications 25 “Air Force Bug-bot Nano Drone Technology” 25 Humanoids: Future is Today 26 Conclusion 27 References 28 Thesis statement The innovation of the drone has opened up an assortment of possibilities that will aid humanity in progressing towards a safe and secure environment. Resistance has been established by the global community due to how this technology was first exploited by the military. Our aim is to acknowledge this advancement as progress and research crucial evidence that supports the future implications on exploiting UAV technology. Introduction Drones are semi-autonomous flying vehicles that can be remote...
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...“Everyone Does It” Current Situation ISI submitting bid proposal to client for $50 million satellite photography project to a Japanese government contractor. ISI’s camera subcontractor has problems with thermal stabilizer for the camera. ISI VP expects delays of 1–1.5 years for satellite launch date. ISI President recommends holding to original launch date because delayed launches are a standard industry expectation and their competitors will all hold to the original launch date. SWOT Analysis Begins: * Corporate Governance * President of ISI – Fred Ballard * Vice President of Marketing and Sales – Jim Willis * External Environment – Opportunities and Threats * Satellite imaging industry controlled by USA, France, Russia, Japan. * ISI is competitive leader of other 2 American imaging companies. * Tasked to develop satellite camera able to photograph the earth up to 1m detail. * In industry, delays are expected and standard. * All companies forecasted similar dates, but have no working satellite camera. * Revised launch dates caused negotiation termination for competitors. * Internal Environment – Strengths and Weaknesses * Unable to successfully launch a satellite with camera capabilities required. * Instructed to use published date as ready-date to Japanese clients * Announcing delay times may interrupt or end negotiations. * Discovery of dishonesty/holding information...
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...Miniature Aerial Vehicle – Airframe characterization R. Shivkumar, Hemendra Arya & K. Sudhakar Department of Aerospace Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Powai, Mumbai – 400076 e-mail: arya@aero.iitb.ac.in Abstract: Airframe design is an important step in the development of mini aerial vehicles. Airframe design means the shape and size of the aircraft. Issues related to mini aerial vehicle design are discussed in the paper. In this paper a case study of design of a 0.6 m fixed wing aerial vehicle is presented. This case study also brings out the requirement of various tools to conduct such an exercise. Introduction: Significant interest is being shown by academic institutions in research activities related to Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPV’s) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s). Flying platforms and their design with suitable payloads reinforce classroom education while exposing students to a host of flight related problems and issues of systems integration. There has been a long felt need to bring students, especially in the field of engineering, closer to the complexities and risks in dealing with actual systems. The Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT Bombay has decided to make headway in this direction by developing remotely piloted aerial vehicles as experimental platforms[1]. The various disciplines required for such a design activity are aerodynamics, performance, structures, stability, control and propulsion. Each of these designs are different compared...
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...ABSTRACT The intent of this proposal argument is to show that manned aircraft should be utilized in combat and multi-role missions over Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The major differences between manned and unmanned aircraft will be explored. The issues of cost, payload capacity, situational awareness and effectiveness, their role in combat conditions, and the pilot’s decision making capabilities in both aircraft will all be covered in the proposal. In addition, the history and how each type of aircraft came about will be discussed in order to show the experience level and usefulness of manned and unmanned aircraft. Many of the current ideas the military has about what should be the course of action when it comes to manned and unmanned aircraft will be included. Any good or bad consequences of the current proposals will also be discussed. Finally, the future for manned and unmanned aircraft will be reviewed. INTRODUCTION The United States Navy’s manned aircraft are more effective in aerial combat and multi-role missions than Unmanned Arial Vehicles or UAV drones. Exclusively utilizing unmanned aircraft in place of manned fighter and attack aircraft could lead to military failures in combat situations. Pilots controlling the Unmanned Arial Vehicle or UAV drones from remote locations are incapable of making split second decisions or having the awareness that pilots in the cockpit on location possess. Over the past 80 years, the U.S. Navy has trained some of the most elite...
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...mechanical engineering. Changing the way something is done often improves it. This is the heart of technology. Technology has evolved into nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is a “technology executed on the scale of less than 100 nanometers, the goal of which is to control individual atoms and molecules, especially to computer chips and other microscopic devices.” Nanotechnology may one day improve the quality of life, thereby extending the life span of humans, by using “small autonomous robot, or nanobot, that can be sent into the human body to repair cells and cure cancers.” (nanotechnology). It is the continued advancement in nanotechnology that has been used to downsize the combative drones that we associate with the war, to the small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV), and into the hands of hobbyist all over the world. The technology for radio-controlled aircraft has been around for decades with guidelines set forth from the FAA that restricted the use of the radio-controlled aircrafts to specified areas. Where there were once groups of radio-controlled flyers is now groups of drone users....
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...1. Introduction We are proposing a localized UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) that will be able to lock, track and monitor a mobile target, which in our case will be a person. The UAV will be a quad-copter with a mounted camera, onboard processing capacity and will be able to receive its movement directions from a remote PC. As for localization, the UAV will keep track of its current location using GPS regarding its base station, from which it will take off and land. It will also send its video feed constantly to that remote PC, through which a target will be marked and the quad-coper will get in pursuit of that target autonomously. 2. Problem Statement Tracking a mobile target can be done by a number of ways. Ground as well as aerial robots can be used for this purpose but each kind has its limitations. Constraints that limit the probability of tracking a mobile target efficiently from a ground robot include uneven surface, navigation difficulty and sudden obstacle appearance, a person or a vehicle, coming in robot’s line of sight thus blocking its view of the target. Therefore, aerial tracking seems a better solution as it involves less complex navigation and provides a better field of view. Currently,...
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