Systems Engineering QFD on an Aerial Fire Fighting Aircraft

[ashah99]

Homework Statement

Coming up with a QFD (House of Quality) list on an Aerial Fire Fighting Aircraft

Relevant Equations

None

Hi everyone, I am currently taking an aerospace systems engineering course and right now, the focus is on Quality Function Deployment (QFD), which is basically a method driven by customer requirements, which can capture customer requirements and systematically convert them into engineering characteristics and quantitative design parameters. I'm looking to come up with as many customer needs and engineering characteristics as possible based on the topic of designing an aerial fire-fighting aircraft for wildfire response. The majority of the aircraft currently in service for firefighting purposes are modified commercial or military airframes, which creates inefficiencies and affects payload delivery. As for needs, I would say maximizing fire retardant capacity, payload drop, savings lives, etc, but really struggling with the engineering aspects of the QFD table.

I wanted to brainstorm with this thread to see how I should approach this problem from a systems perspective. Appreciate any input!

 

[FactChecker]

I have no experience with this, but since you are only asking to "brainstorm":
Suppose you make a list of aircraft characteristics (flyaway cost, operating cost/hour, thrust, cargo size, speed, landing strip requirements, maneuverability, range, crew size, etc.). Then you can develop a matrix of the relationships between the two sets.

PS. If you are in Aeronautical engineering, you may be able to put these qualities into more specific terms.

 

[berkeman]

The majority of the aircraft currently in service for firefighting purposes are modified commercial or military airframes, which creates inefficiencies and affects payload delivery.

I would dispute that statement, expecially with respect to the latest FF air-drop fixed wing aircraft. Do you know which aircraft I'm referring to? (the latest and greatest)

Spoiler

https://www.google.com/search?clien...ire+retardant+air+tanker+enters+service+in+CA

 

[berkeman]

I wanted to brainstorm with this thread to see how I should approach this problem from a systems perspective.

Also, since you are wanting to think about the overall system design, consider how to improve situational awareness of the aircraft in the Fire Zone, and improve communications. Consider this very troubling failure (from my perspective, I could have been on the ground near this...), and what improvements in the overall systems you could propose to prevent this problem:

https://www.firehouse.com/safety-he...y-injured-in-hermits-peak-wildfire-water-drop

 

[DaveE]

Homework Statement:: Coming up with a QFD (House of Quality) list on an Aerial Fire Fighting Aircraft
Relevant Equations:: None

The majority of the aircraft currently in service for firefighting purposes are modified commercial or military airframes, which creates inefficiencies and affects payload delivery.

Maybe. But engineering real world products is an exercise in cost-benefit. There are huge savings in using existing proven designs with lower manufacturing, service, and operational costs. If you design the best ever air tanker, but it's too expensive, no one will buy it.

 

[FactChecker]

The majority of the aircraft currently in service for firefighting purposes are modified commercial or military airframes, which creates inefficiencies and affects payload delivery.

IMHO, it is premature to state this before any analysis is done. There are a wide variety of airplanes and some may fit the requirements very well. Modifications can be much less expensive than an entirely new design and production effort.