This thesis constitutes a survey of the cost growth of the weapon systems acquired by the U.S. DoD Services. It attempts to assess whether the extensive consolidation of the defense industry has led to any significant reduction of the cost growth. The primary data source for the cost of the weapon systems are the Selected Acquisition Reports (SAR), which are published by the DoD for the major acquisition programs. The time period explored is approximately from 1985 until 2007. An overall assessment of the situation of the defense industry today, because of the consolidation, will be made. The ultimate goal of the project is to attempt to reveal if the consolidation has improved efficiency, in terms of the cost growth, thus being beneficial for the DoD, or if further restructuring of the acquisition system is necessary as a response to the new conditions.http://archive.org/details/defenseindustryc109454017Hellenic Air Force author.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited
