Summer Study (1991) on Weapon Development and Production Technology
Abstract
This report details the findings of the Defense Science Board Summer Study on Weapon Development and Production Technology. This Task Force was formed as a follow-up to last year's DSB recommendations regarding the need for a manufacturing technology strategy for the Department of Defense. In addition to the delineations in the Terms of Reference, the following general questions were posed for this study: Given reduced defense budgets, fewer programs, stretched out production far below past economic production rates, overcapacity, a shrinking industrial base, and reluctance of second/third tier suppliers and many commercial producers to participate in the defense industry. (1) How does one achieve unit production cost to a level at, or near equal to, that of higher production rates? (2) How does one incentivize the second/third tier, and commercial producers (where appropriate) to participate in the defense market? (3) How does one mitigate the past record of schedule slippages and cost growth on major programs, through improvements in the efficiency of the production process? (4) Given that production surge capability may be increasingly limited, how does one protect reconstitution of this capability?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA274224