Report of the Defense Science Board 1979 Summer Study on Reducing the Unit Cost of Equipment
Abstract
The unit cost of defense equipment has been growing at such a rate that it has become difficult, if not impossible, to maintain current force levels. The Russian arms buildup has reached a magnitude such that we must increase the U.S. military effectiveness and the hardware inventory to the maximum possible extent, The DOD procurement account will have only a modest increase in the next decade. With that basic assumption, there are four significant avenues open: Reduce unit costs on both new and existing systems, Increase the capability of current platforms, and major subsystems, where needed, to meet the changing threat, Reduce the number of new starts, buying more of current systems or Reduce the number of systems procured. The Summer Study Task Force concentrated on the first two alternatives. A number of concepts were examined which showed promise of achieving cost reductions including more competition, use of commercial equipment, reducing the cost impact of current regulations, specifications and the acquisition process itself, and minimizing the dollar impact of the requirements process itself.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA133028
Entities
Organizations
- Defense Science Board