Mergers and Acquisitions in the Defense Industrial Base - Should the US Military Be Concerned?

Abstract

This article reviews recent changes within the defense industry and examines the effects such changes might have on the ability to conduct military operations. Specifically, it addresses the significant reduction in large defense firms capable of producing and delivering complex weapon systems and the concentration of market share in some key military product lines. Key issues are presented, to include the expected loss of competition from mergers and consolidation (horizontal integration). Other issues include increased vertical integration among prime contractors and the potential impact of consolidation on technology development. The article concludes with a brief review of key DoD initiatives intended to mitigate these concerns and a review of other options that offer some possible benefits.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA369709

Entities

People

  • Kevin A. Bell

Organizations

  • United States Department of the Air Force

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Aircraft Engines
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Bomber Aircraft
  • Contractors
  • Defense Industry
  • Department Of Defense
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Governments
  • Military Aircraft
  • Military Operations
  • Military Strategy
  • Procurement
  • Task Forces
  • Weapon Systems
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Occupational Health and Safety.
  • Systems Analysis and Design