SCRA-led Project Wins Defense Manufacturing Achievement Award

CHARLESTON, S.C. --(Business Wire)--

SCRA Applied R&D consortium PDES, Inc. today announced that its Customer/Supplier Interoperability during Collaborative Design (CSI (News - Alert)) project has won the 2012 Defense Manufacturing Achievement Award. The CSI project, led by SCRA, is sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory and the OSD Defense Manufacturing Science & Technology Program (DMS&T).

Presented at the recent Defense Manufacturing Conference (DMC 2012) in Orlando, FL, the award is sponsored by the Joint Defense Manufacturing Technology Panel (JDMTP) to recognize and honor those individuals from government and the private sector most responsible for outstanding technical accomplishments that further the achievement of the vision of the Department of Defense (DoD) Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program.

The Customer Supplier Interoperability (CSI) program offers solutions to address massive engineering inefficiencies associated with technical data exchanges in defense supply chains. Through the automation of manual tasks, CAD validation and a toolset to advance current exchanges, CSI paves the path toward model-based definition (MBD) for the defense industrial base. Through side-by-side comparisons with current best practices, CSI technologies generate projected cost savings of ~$22M/year for 3 CSI manufacturers & ~$50M/year when fully adopted by all supply chain members in a large defense acquisition program. With major programs exceeding 20 years in duration, this equates to over $1 billion in savings.

The project, which began in November 2010, is a collaborative effort between Lockheed Martin (News - Alert), Honeywell Aerospace, Rockwell Collins, International TechneGroup Incorporated and end-user companies. The software platform was provided by ITI TranscenData, a small US-based solutions provider. The project partners are members of PDES, Inc., an SCRA-managed consortium with 22-years of experience in developing project teams for the Model-Based Enterprise through the use of model-based standards.

"SCRA Applied R&D teams are built and managed to advance technologies that offer real world solutions," said SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney. "We congratulate this team and are delighted to report another success story that shows how our collaborative approach enables both efficiency and effectiveness for our clients."

"The CSI project has highlighted several reas and solutions that have potential to aid Lockheed Martin in current and future business endeavors in the Model-Based Enterprise environment. In addition, CSI provided insight into the potential benefits in efficiency, data quality and cost savings that is of great interest to Lockheed Martin," said Dr. Michael R. Jahadi, President and Chairman of the PDES, Inc. Board.

About SCRA

http://www.scra.org/

SCRA is an applied research company with over 30 years of experience delivering technology solutions with high returns on investment to federal and corporate clients. Our Applied R&D affiliate manages over 100 national and international programs worth over $1.5 billion in contract value, and our technology-based economic development affiliate helps early-stage companies to commercialize innovations and create jobs. In support of our mission, SCRA builds and manages research facilities that include wet labs, secure rooms for sensitive work, and advanced high-tech manufacturing shops. Over $14 billion, and that the company has helped create approximately 15,000 technology-related jobs in SC, with wages averaging between $55,000 and $77,000.

PDES, Inc. is an international consortium, managed by SCRA Applied R&D, to promote the digital enterprise through the development and implementation of model-based standards. The consortium is made up of members from global industry, government and academia that commit resource hours to projects of interest to the member organizations. PDES, Inc. initiatives include Model-Based Engineering, Model-Based Manufacturing, Model-Based Sustainment, Data Exchange Testing and Information Standards. The CSI project falls under the Model-Based Engineering initiative. SCRA has served as the host contractor for PDES, Inc. since its inception in 1988.

Honeywell (News - Alert) Aerospace is the largest single supplier of components and services to the aerospace industry and is a diversified technology and manufacturing leader of aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; power generation systems; specialty chemicals; fibers; plastics and advanced materials. Honeywell Aerospace delivers a diverse range of commercial and defense and space products, systems and services across the aerospace industry. From single-engine piston-powered airplanes to commercial applications to military and space vehicles applications, Honeywell Aerospace products and systems can be found on virtually every type of aerospace platform operating around the world today.

Rockwell Collins is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and electronics solutions for both commercial and government applications. The company's expertise in avionics, electronics, mission communications, information management, simulation and training is delivered by 20,000 employees and a global service and support network that crosses 27 countries.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is a leader in the design, development, systems integration, production, and support of advanced military aircraft. The company's headquarters, a major manufacturing operation, is located in Fort Worth, Texas. Rapid prototyping, simulation-based virtual design, and supply chain integration are just a few of the many engineering proficiencies that enable Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company to build the finest military aircraft in the world. Lockheed Martin products play an important role in the defense of the United States, ensuring peace and stability around the world. Their most widely known aircraft include F-35 and F-22 Fifth Generation fighters; the most successful international fighter, the F-16; the versatile airlifter, the C-130J and the first operational stealth fighter, the F-117.

International TechneGroup Incorporated (ITI), a small business located in Milford, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati, is one of the world's leading providers of consulting, software products, and related integration services that enable clients to dramatically improve their product and manufacturing process development capabilities. The ITI product data interoperability business (ITI TranscenData) is a leading independent provider of products and services for data interoperability, integration and collaboration.

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Case Numbers: 88ABW-2012-6083 & 88ABW-2012-6675.