Military Throwaways Why Acquirers Should Go Disposable
Abstract
The military tends to keep equipment for a long time. Unfortunately, extended product life cycles leave many operators with worn-out or obsolete gear. Aircraft, vehicles, ships, radars and radios are examples of the outdated equipment our Armed Forces use daily. There are many reasons to keep equipment for 10, 20 or 30 or more years. Some equipment never goes out of stylea well-maintained 105-millimeter cannon is just as effective today as it was 20 years ago. Other items stand the test of time even in the face of ever-evolving threatsthe KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft served just as well in the Gulf War as it does now against al Qaeda. Still others cost too much to refresh on a regular basiswe probably wont divest the F-22 stealth fighter jet anytime soon. These cases provide a framework for what can be considered a traditional materiel acquisition: Robust designs intended to provide a long-term return on investment. This article aims to challenge the idea of traditional materiel solutions by proposing a disposable alternative.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1015952
Entities
People
- Chad Steipp
- Jon D. Mccomb
- Patrick Dugan
Organizations
- United States Secretary of the Air Force