Star Wars: A Case Study of Marginal Cost Analysis and Weapon System Technology,

Abstract

Marginal-cost analysis can help decisionmakers formulate both de- fense strategy and technical investment strategy early in the devel- opment of a major weapon system. The purpose of this report is to provide a case study that illustrates this point. The case involves a marginal-cost analysis of system architectures for the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Although the application is now somewhat dated, the nature, results, and effects of the study illustrate how criti- cal such systems analysis is for comprehensive policy analysis in considering any weapon system for which there is a likely counter.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1994
Accession Number
ADA288634

Entities

People

  • George L. Donohue

Organizations

  • RAND Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Cost Estimates
  • Defense Systems
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles
  • Lessons Learned
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • National Security
  • Payload
  • Reliability
  • Rocket Engines
  • Rockets
  • Space Transportation
  • Strategic Defense Initiative
  • United States
  • Weapon Systems

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
  • Strategic Security Studies