Aircraft Combat Survivability Self Study Program (SSSP)

Distribution Statement: NAVAIR Public Release:800
Approved for Public Release

SURVIAC is pleased to announce the availability of the Aircraft Combat Survivability Self Study Program, SSSP.  The SSSP has been funded by the Joint Aircraft Survivability Program (JASP) and was developed by Distinguished Professor Emeritus Dr. Robert E. Ball, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA.  Nearly all of the material in the program has been taken from the Prologue and Chapter 1 of the textbook "The Fundamentals of Aircraft Combat Survivability Analysis and Design, Second Edition," written by Dr.  Ball and published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in late 2003.

The purpose of the program is to provide a quick, easy, and effective way for users to learn about the fundamentals of the aircraft combat survivability discipline.  The program currently consists of the module, “Introduction to the Aircraft Survivability Discipline” but additional modules may be added in the future.  The sections available under this module are “Overview of the Fundamentals”, “Historical Perspective of Survivability”, “US Military Survivability Policy, Instructions, Programs and Organizations”, “Designing for Survivability”, “Survivability Modeling and Simulation”, “Testing for Survivability”, “Conclusions and Points to Remember”. 

Some of the program features include highlighting text, saving study data, emailing questions to Dr. Ball, adding your own notes, solving survivability problems, and monitoring your progress through a report card. Additional information on the SSSP and how to use it can be found on Prof. Ball’s Aircraft Combat Survivability Education Web Site, http://www.aircraft-survivability.com/Pages/Education_Frame.html, or he can be e-mailed at survivability@gmail.com.  

Although the textbook is not required when using this program, you may find it helpful to have a copy available.  A copy of the Textbook can be obtained from AIAA at http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=360&id=1008.  US Government civilian and military employees can obtain a copy free of charge from SURVIAC. Please call 937-255-3828 x284 to request a copy. 

Obtaining the SSSP
The SSSP is available for downloading from this website. You may also request a CD containing all four versions free of charge by using the inquiry form located at http://www.bahdayton.com/surviac/inquiry.aspx.

On the CD are four folders; two are for computers using the Windows operating system, and two are for Apple computers using OS X. The folder names are (click on the link for download):

ReadMe file (.doc format)

SSSP Win QT6      for Windows computers with a version of QuickTime less than 7.0 (26.5MB)

SSSP Win QT7      for Windows computers with a version of QuickTime 7.0 or higher (8.8MB)

SSSP Mac QT6      for Apple computers with a version of QuickTime less than 7.0 (27.6MB)

SSSP Mac QT7      for Apple computers with a version of QuickTime 7.0 or higher (9.9MB)

If the downloaded compressed file (.zip) does not automatically expand after downloading to reveal the pertinent folder, you must double click the .zip file to expand it to the uncompressed folder. Inside the expanded folder is the SSSP program file/icon Surv Self Study with accompanying file(s) and folder(s). The suggestion is made that the user duplicate the SSSP folder on their hard disk in order to have a backup unused program.

To Launch the SSSP

To launch the SSSP program, open the downloaded/copied expanded folder and double click on the Surv Self Study file/icon.  A video should play, followed by the splash screen. Follow the instructions on your computer screen to learn how to use the program.

Please send any comments such as, what you like, don’t like, what you would like to see, and any mistakes or bugs you encounter to Dr. Ball at  survivability@gmail.com.

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Fundamentals of Ground Combat System Ballistic Vulnerability/Lethality

By Paul H. Deitz, Harry L. Reed, Jr., J. Terrence Klopcic, James N. Walbert

With contributions from more than 50 vulnerability/lethality (V/L) professionals in Government and industry, this 300-page text provides a comprehensive look at the basic history, terminology, processes, tools, and applications associated with the V/L discipline.  It’s intended to serve as both a foundational textbook for new V/L analysts, testers, developers, researchers, and scientists as well as a ready-reference for those practitioners already working in the field.

The book’s major themes include:

•   The history of V/L analysis

•   The role of V/L in materiel design, development, and acquisition

•   The V/L analysis process

•   The Missions and Means Framework

•   Initial representation

•   Damage mechanisms

•   Component dysfunction

•   Personnel vulnerability

•   Wound ballistics

•   Target response

•   Tactical utility

•   Vulnerability assessment

•   Measures of effectiveness

•   Fault trees and degraded states

•   Networked systems

•   Modeling and simulation tools and methods

•   Verification, validation, and accreditation

•   System acquisition and life cycle issues

•   Vulnerability reduction

•   Tactics and doctrine.

Also included are an extensive bibliography and appendices that provide more in-depth discussions on fragment penetration, behind-armor debris characterization, PCD|H estimation, and applied VV&A processes.

For information on obtaining this book, Government employees may contact A.J. Brown, SURVIAC, (937) 255-3828 ext. 284.  All others may obtain this book through AIAA, 800.682.2422, www.aiaa.org.

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Aerospace Systems Survivability Handbook Series

Volume 1- Handbook Overview

Volume 2- Survivability and Acquisition

Volume 3- The Survivability Program Plan

Volume 4- Survivability Engineering

Volume 5- Survivability Models and Simulations

Volume 6- Survivability Test and Evaluation

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Threat Effects DVD 

The Threat Effects in Aircraft Combat Survivability documentary video project was funded by the Joint Aircraft Survivability Program Office (JASPO). This project substantially updates the material presented in the original Threat Effects…, released in 1986.

This documentary uniquely presents the primary threat weapons to aircraft and the ballistic response or “effect” of an aircraft when hit by a threat. It contains combat and gun-camera footage and both lethality and survivability test analysis video, all of which are combined and edited to demonstrate the cause and effect relationship between threats and their effect on an aircraft on the battlefield. The benefits gained from using technologies in vulnerability reduction will further increase the viewers’ interest in, knowledge of, and appreciation for the survivability discipline.       

The response to the “Threat Effects in Aircraft Combat Survivability” DVD documentary developed by Robert E. Ball, Jr. has been overwhelming, swamping the JASPO with requests.  As a result, JASPO has arranged for DVD distribution through SURVIAC to send out the DVD.  Please send all future requests to SURVIAC.

To request a copy of the Threat Effects in Aircraft Combat Survivability DVD article please fill out the request form on the SURVIAC website at:
http://www.bahdayton.com/surviac/inquiry.aspx  or contact Mr.
AJ Brown at 937-255-3828 x284 (DSN: 785-3828 x284). 

The DVD is free to U.S. government personnel.  There is a $50.00 fee for current U.S. government contractors.