{
  "schema_version": "uav-production-scale-up-guide.v1",
  "reviewed_at": "2026-09-17",
  "scope": "Evidence-planning guide for scaling accepted UAV production output; not a capacity certification, production commitment, price, schedule or flight approval.",
  "gates": [
    {
      "gate": "Configuration and demand basis",
      "question": "Which released configuration, accepted-unit quantity, mix and delivery period are being scaled?",
      "evidence": "Controlled product baseline, effectivity, demand ranges and change assumptions.",
      "source_ids": [
        "NASA-CM",
        "NASA-IMPLEMENT"
      ]
    },
    {
      "gate": "Started-unit and yield model",
      "question": "How many starts and rework cycles are needed to deliver the accepted quantity?",
      "evidence": "Measured yield, scrap, rework and acceptance definitions tied to the intended process.",
      "source_ids": [
        "NASA-IMPLEMENT",
        "NASA-VERIFY"
      ]
    },
    {
      "gate": "Material and supplier release",
      "question": "Which long-lead parts, raw materials and outside processes must be released, and when?",
      "evidence": "Dated availability, approved-source status, lead times, allocation and change control.",
      "source_ids": [
        "NASA-IMPLEMENT",
        "NASA-CM"
      ]
    },
    {
      "gate": "Flow and enabling products",
      "question": "Which station, fixture, machine, software or facility constrains the period?",
      "evidence": "Work content, sequence, queues and readiness for production and integration enabling products.",
      "source_ids": [
        "NASA-IMPLEMENT",
        "NASA-INTEGRATE"
      ]
    },
    {
      "gate": "People and standardized work",
      "question": "Which trained roles and released instructions are required at each rate step?",
      "evidence": "Staffing by skill and shift, training evidence, procedures and decision authority.",
      "source_ids": [
        "NASA-IMPLEMENT"
      ]
    },
    {
      "gate": "Integration and test capacity",
      "question": "Can assembly, software load, calibration, test, retest and review support the same accepted rate?",
      "evidence": "Integration sequence, equipment and test-cycle capacity with interface and environment coverage.",
      "source_ids": [
        "NASA-INTEGRATE",
        "NASA-VERIFY"
      ]
    },
    {
      "gate": "Acceptance and transition",
      "question": "What evidence authorizes each unit or lot to leave production?",
      "evidence": "Verification results, discrepancies, approvals, as-built records and transition responsibilities.",
      "source_ids": [
        "NASA-VERIFY",
        "NASA-TRANSITION"
      ]
    },
    {
      "gate": "Cost, cash and phase gate",
      "question": "What is committed before the next rate step, and what observation stops the ramp?",
      "evidence": "Period-matched material, labor, tooling, equipment, inventory and cash timing assumptions plus an owner and decision date.",
      "source_ids": [
        "NASA-IMPLEMENT",
        "NASA-TRANSITION"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "NASA-IMPLEMENT",
      "title": "NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, 5.1 Product Implementation",
      "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/reference/5-1-product-implementation/"
    },
    {
      "id": "NASA-INTEGRATE",
      "title": "NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, 5.2 Product Integration",
      "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/reference/5-2-product-integration/"
    },
    {
      "id": "NASA-VERIFY",
      "title": "NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, 5.3 Product Verification",
      "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/reference/5-3-product-verification/"
    },
    {
      "id": "NASA-TRANSITION",
      "title": "NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, 5.5 Product Transition",
      "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/reference/5-5-product-transition/"
    },
    {
      "id": "NASA-CM",
      "title": "NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, 6.5 Configuration Management",
      "url": "https://www.nasa.gov/reference/6-5-configuration-management/"
    }
  ]
}