Defense Industrial Base Policy: Revisited
Abstract
In an era of decreasing defense budgets and enemy threats, problems associated with maintaining a healthy defense industrial base have become pronounced. This article discusses defense industrial policy goals and argues that these goals may be collectively unobtainable. Defense industrial policy goals include maintaining a strong manufacturing base, a production surge capability, a leading edge in defense technology, and viable competition among defense contractors. The major problem, however, is that in the current environment, these four goals are collectively unobtainable. What is required is a realistic defense industrial policy that accommodates the decreasing budgets, changing enemy threats, and marketplace realities. Policy analysts and politicians have put forth a number of options to address the defense industrial base problem. The commercialization options include investments in dual-use technologies and the conversion of defense industries. The unique Defense requirements options include selective upgrades, steady-state acquisition, and prototyping with limited production. Each of these solutions has advantages and disadvantages.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA487946
Entities
People
- Michael E. Heberling
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology