Acquiring Major Systems: Cost and Schedule Trends and Acquisition Initiative Effectiveness

Abstract

This paper examines trends in the outcomes (in terms of costs and schedules) of major weapons system acquisition programs and assesses the effectiveness of management initiatives in improving these outcomes. Program outcomes are assessed by equipment type (including aircraft, tactical munitions, electronics, strategic missiles, and satellites), by time period, by phase (development and production), and by type (new or modification). The major drivers of total program cost growth are also examined. The initiatives assessed include multi-year procurement, prototyping, total package procurement and fixed-price development, dual-source competition, design-to-cost, and contract incentives.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1989
Accession Number
ADA212538

Entities

People

  • J. Richard Nelson
  • Karen W. Tyson
  • Neang I. Om
  • Paul R. Palmer

Organizations

  • Institute for Defense Analyses

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Anti-Radiation Missiles
  • Anti-Tank Missiles
  • Business Administration
  • Construction
  • Contracts
  • Defense Systems
  • Engineers
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Acquisition
  • Organizational Structure
  • Short Takeoff Aircraft
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Inertial Navigation Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space