The Evolution of the Contract Type Used in Defense Acquisition with a Focus on Major Defense Weapon Systems

MBA Professional ReportThe goal in this project was to research and write an historical overview of the Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition policy toward preference in a particular contract type. Major milestones and representative case studies were reviewed that challenge the current acquisition policy in regard to the type of contract selected for major defense weapon systems. In this project, historical and analytical accounts of the defense acquisition process are provided for major weapon systems from 1947 to present. Significant changes were examined to acquisition policies to show any possible trends. Major studies were conducted to determine what factors contribute to policy changes associated with noteworthy cases involving major weapon systems. By highlighting trends and making insightful observations, we hope to provide acquisition professionals who work with major weapon systems with greater perspective and context on the debate over the most appropriate contract type for use in major weapon systems.http://archive.org/details/theevolutionofco1094517445Lieutenant, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Meeting U.S. Defense Needs in Space: Effects of a Shrinking Defense Industrial Base on the Satellite Industry

U.S. defense industrial base (DIB) deterioration and increased DOD interest in space exploitation highlights the U.S. satellite industry as one DIB sector requiring analysis. Despite DIB problems, this industry must maintain the capability to produce advanced satellites for the DOD. Commercial Military Integration (CMI) will, according to experts, eliminate problems inherent with a separate DIB. This research focused on investigating satellite industry capability to meet DOD space requirements. Through literature review, case study analysis and interviews, effects of a shrinking DIB on the satellite industry were determined. A model for DIB strength was developed and analyzed through literature review. General Electric Aircraft Engines (GEAE) case study showed the potential for commercializing the DIB. Research focused on satellite industry executives whose perspectives illustrated industry capability to meet defense space needs. Results indicated continued DIB deterioration unless Government and defense industry leaders intervene. GEAE sales performance demonstrated how commercializing the DIB can provide stability. Interviews confirmed the satellite industry\u27s ability to meet defense needs, yet space architecture and launch vehicle issues must be addressed. Through flexible manufacturing, dual use and smaller, smart satellites/satellite services, this industry can produce high quality, inexpensive satellites for defense/commercial markets faster, providing additional surge/mobilization capability

Military Transformation and the Defense Industry after Next

Though still adjusting to the end of the Cold War, the defense industry is now confronted with the prospect of military transformation. Since the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, many firms have seen business improve in response to the subsequent large increase in the defense budget. But in the longer run, the defense sector\u27s military customers intend to reinvent themselves for a future that may require the acquisition of unfamiliar weapons and support systems.https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/usnwc-newport-papers/1016/thumbnail.jp

A Reexamination of the Effect of Rapid Military Spending on Inflation

The hypothesis that rapid defense buildups contribute to inflation recently has been rejected by Donald F. Vitaliano. In this paper, it is argued that this result is misleading, given that it is obtained under the implausible assumption of constancy of the expected real rate of interest. The hypothesis is reexamined using a well-known measure of the expected inflation rate, and it is found that growth of defense spending has a statistically significant positive effect on the rate of price inflation

Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS): Doing It Right

In the twenty-first century, the United States will likely encounter a wide-range of threats, such as those posed by terrorists, rogue states and other non-state actors—all of whom are taking full advantage of globally available, high-tech commercial systems (e.g., from night vision devices, through secure cell phones, to satellite photos). At the same time, technology is changing more rapidly than ever before, and the DoD must learn to embrace the fact that it no longer holds a monopoly on all military-relevant technology (many of the information-intensive innovations result from commercial activities). Furthermore, the rising costs of domestic commitments, such as Social Security and Medicare, coupled with the growing budget deficits, will create an inevitable downward pressure on the DoD budget. These changes have created an urgency for transformation within the defense establishment. We believe this necessary defense transformation will be heavily dependent upon the development of net-centric systems-of-systems; the determination to achieve lower costs, faster fielding and better performance; and a realization of the potential benefits of globalization and use of commercial technology. Greater use of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) systems and components is one strategy that can enable achieving the required DoD transformation, and help to ensure American military success in the twenty-first century. Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) is a term for software or hardware that is commercially made and available for sale, lease, or license to the general public and that requires little or no unique government modifications to meet the needs of the procuring agency. Because of their rapid availability, lower costs, and low risk, COTS products must be considered as alternatives to in-house, government-funded developments.Naval Postgraduate School Acquisition Research ProgramThis research was partially sponsored by a grant from The Naval Postgraduate Schoo

R&D and the arms race : an analytical look

non

Dynamics of Military Procurement: Changes in Military Consumption Patterns

human development, consumption, globalization

An Analysis of Major Acquisition Reforms through Text Mining and Grounded Theory Design

Cost growth is an established phenomenon within Defense Acquisition that the US Government has attempted to abolish for decades through seemingly endless cycles of reform. Dozens of experts and senior leaders within the acquisition community have published their notions on the reasons for cost growth, nevertheless, legislation has yet to eradicate this presumed conundrum. For this reason, this research is aimed at identifying existing trends within past major Defense Acquisition Reform legislation, as well as in a compendium of views from leaders within the Defense Acquisition community on the efficacy of acquisition reform, to determine the possible disconnect. To accomplish this goal, this research takes a qualitative approach, utilizing various Text Mining methodologies (word frequency, word relationships, term frequency-inverse document frequency, sentiment analysis, and topic modeling), along with Grounded Theory Design, to analyze the major reforms and expert views. The results of this research corroborate the current literature’s claim that past Defense Acquisition reforms have not been able to sufficiently address the root causes of cost growth, and identifies six potential root causes of cost growth: Strategy, the Industrial Base, Risk Management, the Requirements and Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Processes, the Workforce, and Cost Estimates and the Planning, Programming, Budget, and Execution (PPBE) Process