JCIDS Document Development - Precision Approach and Landing Capability (PALC)

Initial Capabilities Document (ICD)

Customer: Air Force Flight Standards Agency, Andrews AFB

Challenge: The aviation branches of the joint Services were concerned about the efficacy of legacy land-based and sea-based precision approach and landing capability systems beyond 2014. Studies suggested that forecast approach and landing system retirements will create capability gaps on land and at sea for aircraft requiring terminal area precision approach and landing guidance.

Approach: After identifying the conditions, standards and tasks associated with land-based and sea-based aviation, and taking into account certain unique operating environment concerns associated with special operations aviation, WBB facilitated a High Performance Team session that identified and prioritized ideas for materiel approaches using selective criteria. In concert with numerous joint integrated product teams (IPT), WBB collaborated in iterative refinements which ultimately yielded an overarching PALC ICD applicable across all four Services and Special Operations Force.

Value: The PALC ICD entered formal Air Force and Joint service staffing as an Acquisition Category I / Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) document. When the Joint Capabilities Board received the briefing, they were impressed with the analysis and recommendations, and forwarded the program documentation to the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) via a "paper JROC" decision. Subsequently, the MDA authorized the program to proceed as recommended. WBB's insights into the challenging ICD document development and staffing process, along with our attention to detail in documenting all components of the analysis, proved instrumental in securing a "paper JROC" decision in minimum time.