A System Simulation Development Project: Leveraging Resources Through Partnerships

Partnerships between government agencies are an intellectually attractive method of conducting scientific research; the goal is to establish mutually beneficial participant roles for technology exchange that ultimately pays-off in a stronger R&D program for each partner. Anticipated and current aerospace research budgetary pressures through the 90's provide additional impetus for Government research agencies to candidly assess their R&D for those simulation activities no longer unique enough to warrant “going it alone,” or for those elements where partnerships or teams can offset development costs.

This paper describes a specific inter-agency system simulation activity that leverages the development cost of mutually beneficial R&D. While the direct positive influence of partnerships on complex technology development is our main thesis, we also address on-going teaming issues and hope to impart to the reader the immense indirect (sometimes immeasurable) benefits that meaningful inter-agency partnerships can produce.