McDONNELL DOUGLAS (MDC) is developing an on-line configuration-definition system, which is expected to reduce the time taken to deliver commercial aircraft. The configuration-definition and management system (CDMS), developed jointly by Douglas Aircraft and management consultancy A T Kearney, is to be completed by July 1996.
The system will enable customers to configure their airliners on-line, from a personal computer. The customer will be able to view the baseline specification, select standard options, create unique change requests and develop "what-if" scenarios, says MDC.
"Long configuration-definition cycle times are a significant factor in aircraft delivery-cycle times," says Grace Robertson, Douglas Aircraft vice-present/general manager of design and technology. She says that the CDMS provides an opportunity to reduce configuration cycle-time and related errors.
Source: Flight International