A Strategy to Improve the Early Production Phase in Air Force Acquisition Programs
Abstract
Many new major weapon systems enter production with immature designs that provide less effectiveness and generate higher maintenance costs than anticipated. In the long-run, the military must either accept reduced effectiveness and higher costs or mature the design through design modifications. One proposed approach for providing mature systems in a cost- effective manner recommends (1) extending the initial, low rate production phase, (2) intensifying early testing and operations, and (3) using test and operating data quickly to develop design modifications. This dissertations investigates the characteristics of such a approach, the conditions which favor its application, and the potential costs and benefits of applying the approach in the Air Force context. Additional keywords: Life cycle costs; C-5A aircraft; F-11 aircraft; Cargo aircraft; F-15 aircraft; and Aircraft models.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA152542
Entities
People
- Allen D. Lee
Organizations
- RAND Corporation