A Defense Industrial Base Strategy: A Program Manager's Perspective
Abstract
Given the precipitous drops and the continued downward trend of the budget, the Defense Industrial Base must adjust to a radically different environment. How it adjusts will directly impact on the ability of American combat forces to meet and succeed against emerging threats to national security. This research paper proposes a strategy to ensure that a viable and responsive defense industrial base remains at the turn of the century. While many believe that legislative reforms are the essence of an industrial base strategy, the necessary radical reforms are unrealistic. Thus, this strategy advocates an aggressive leadership role by the Department of Defense to create an environment where the defense industry can survive, even with vastly reduced budgets. The specific strategy possesses four pillars. First, DoD must actively shape the future base by focusing on 21st Century needs by pursuing sole source procurements when necessary, making long term commitments to suppliers and industry and continuing legitimate best value acquisitions. Second, it supports leveraging initiatives in the commercial sector including flexible manufacturing, active risk management and preservation of multi-disciplinary design teams. Third, a recognition that you can't have everything is mandated.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA278296
Entities
People
- John W. Holly
Organizations
- Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy