Industrial Mobilization and the National Defense -- How Ready Are We?
Abstract
The basic question addressed is whether the United State's defense industrial base could mobilize in a timely manner in the event of a major conventional conflict with the Soviet Union. The conclusion is that it could not. After tracing the 'episodic' history of America's defense industrial base, it is determined the following critical issues exist in 1986: The current industrial base in unbalanced and incapable of surging production rates in a timely manner; the base has become increasingly dependent on foreign sources of supply for critical components; productivity growth rates for U.S. defense manufacturing are among the lowest in the free world; and there are no current programs to address the efficient use of industrial resources. The essay closes with the following recommendations for improvement in defense industrial mobilization: A shift to multiyear funding for procurement contracts; initiation of multiyear authorizations and appropriations; creation of new incentives for capital investment; multiple sourcing of all critical parts; competition during production of large defense contracts; broadening of the research and development base; less dependence on foreign sources; and significant adjustments to the structure of the defense industry.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 26, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA168156
Entities
People
- M. T. Tomlinson Jr
Organizations
- United States Army War College