MODEL DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVEL FOR THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY IN INDONESIA

• Main Author: Jaendar Muda, Faried
• Format: Dissertations
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/77337
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The defense industry is a strategic institution for a country to master and develop defense technology. The mastery and development of defense technology aim to fulfill the needs of defense equipment (defense systems) used by the country's defense system. Defense technology requires more complex management than general technology because it is used continuously until disposal, is classified as confidential, susceptible to restrictions, and requires high financing. Therefore, the mastery and development of defense technology require technology management involving several stakeholders from various fields of expertise. It needs a reference to unify stakeholders to facilitate communication and understanding, allowing them to prepare strategies according to their respective fields. One commonly used reference by many countries is the Technology Readiness Level (TRL), which classifies technology into nine levels. Lower levels serve as the foundation for higher levels. The definition and indicators of TRL are simple and flexible, allowing for continuous development according to specific needs, such as Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL), Integration Readiness Level (IRL), and the TRL calculator developed by William Nolte (2003), known as the Technology Readiness Level (TKT). TKT elaborates on three aspects: technology, manufacturing, and integration. These three aspects have been implemented to measure research progress in Indonesia based on the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education Regulation (Permenristekdikti) number 42, year 2016. The TKT divide into three categories: feasible in design, feasible technically, and feasible for application. However, the Permenristekdikti 42/2016 is less comprehensive for measuring the readiness of defense technology in Indonesia because most of the defense equipment used in defense systems are products of foreign defense industries acquired through purchases. The mastery and development of defense technology in Indonesia generally begin with post-production activities such as maintenance, modification, modernization, and disposal. The availability of critical spare parts and obsolescence is the main challenge in post-production activities, making technology readiness assessment essential before and after implementation. In addition to technology readiness, manufacturing, and technological integration aspects, innovation aspect also required. The need for innovation is a novelty. Therefore, research is needed to develop a defense TKT model, referring to TKT Permenristekdikti 42/2016 and Permenhan regarding military commodity standardization and feasibility. The development starts with confirming the need for innovative aspects in measuring post-production defense technology. It continues with the interviews about the definition and indicators of each level to form the Initial Model of Defense TKT. This model is then verified through interviews with sources from engineers/productions/marketingss in the defense sector and further validated using first case studies and second case studies, and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The resulting defense TKT model consists of technology identification, technology concept formulation, concept validation, subsystem validation, laboratory prototype validation, relevant environment prototype validation, technology demonstration in an operational environment, technology refinement, proven technology, and demonstrated technology.