Military and Industry Partnership Program: The Transfer of Military Simulation Technology into Commercial Industry

This research thesis is a study through a military commercial industry partnership to seek whether investments in military modeling and simulation can be easily transferred to benefit commercial industry. This document provides a methodology for evaluating military simulation models for potential use in commercial companies. The author uses this methodology to evaluate potential military simulation model transfer candidates for the commercial company Black and Veatch, a capital facility construction and engineering firm. Technological reasons prevented a suitable simulation product from being found for Black and Veatch. However, several models scored well in meeting requisite needs of the company. Because of the similarities in functional requirements for resource management, it appears that military software applications can convert to commercial use. The contrast in military and civilian goals and the complex nature of software is a challenge. The President and Congress provide directive authority for military technology transfer. Commercial industry may improve these products and DOD can realize savings from licensing agreements and cost sharing according to US Commerce and Trade Code and Federal Acquisition Regulations.