FIRST ANNUAL SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND SUPPORTABILITY CONFERENCE, NDIA -- EVENT #887, 9/14-9/18 Conference and Workshop to Address Cost Saving Tools and Techniques for DoD Weapon Systems The First Annual Systems Engineering and Supportability Conference, sponsored by the Systems Engineering Committee of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), is a high-level conference and workshop that seeks to improve Department of Defense (DoD) Weapon System Supportability and Sustainability via effective use of the Systems Engineering process and disciplines. It will be conducted September 15-17, 1998 at the San Diego Mission Valley-Hilton, San Diego, CA. The objective of the conference is to explore the application of Systems Engineering to improve supportability for both new systems, as well as upgrades to legacy systems. It will also address hardware in addition to software design and supportability, and effective integration of the two. Other discussions will focus on tools and techniques available to facilitate the Systems Engineering process, such as Simulation-Based Acquisition, Modeling and Simulation, integrated Life Cycle Cost modeling, Capability Muturity Model Integration (CMMI), Cost As an Independent Variable (CAIV), Performance-Based Supportability, Built-In Test, Open Systems Architecture, and Performance Based Business Environment. Oriented towards Industry and Government Program Managers and technical/logistics managers, this NDIA-sponsored conference is a unique opportunity for these leaders to assemble and dialog on the topics of improved design for supportability, in order to achieve more affordable and supportable weapon systems, both new and legacy. The conference will consist of presentations by senior military and industry leaders, coupled with panel discussions, on key topics, as defined by the five major Agenda Tracks during the first two days. Creative ideas will be presented and discussed, and recommendations will be gleaned from the consensus discussion. On the last day, these recommendations will be presented to a senior military and DoD panel for additional discussion and future action. The five Conference Agenda Tracks include:  Track A Systems Engineering and Supportability  Track B Software and H/W-S/W Integration  Track C Systems Engineering Tools/Approaches-Life Cycle Costs  Track D Supportability Issues  Track E Business Practices and Contracting Also participating at this conference and workshop are: The Aerospace Industries Association The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers International Council on Systems Engineering National Training Systems Association The Electronic Industries Association The Engineering Society for Advancing Mobility (Land, Sea, Air & Space) And The American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics For additional information regarding this conference and workshop, contact either Fred Jones or Angie DeKleine at (703) 247-2544 or (703) 247-2588. Fax number is (703) 522-1885. Please visit our website at www.ndia.org, for any updates/changes. The National Defense Industrial Association, located in Arlington, VA, educates and provides a link for its members to defense officials and leaders of industry. It is truly "The Voice of the Industrial Base." -- end -- WEB: click here to learn more about the NDIA, http://www.ndia.org. E-MAIL: click here to to contact the POC via email, or to, ADeKleine@NDIA.org. Posted 08/13/98 (W-SN236913).

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0663 19980817\SP-0006.MSC)