2013 U.S. Propulsion Industrial Base Health Metrics Survey Preliminary Results

摘要

Over the past few decades, as the number of propulsion systems development programs have declined, there has been an adverse effect on the health of the propulsion industrial base of the United States and its ability to develop new propulsion systems for civil, military and commercial uses. While there have been many studies documenting these effects, the US government needs a method to track the overall health of the industrial base over time. The National Institute for Rocket Propulsion Systems (NIRPS) recently conducted an Industrial Base Health Metrics Survey to track the health of the US propulsion industrial base over time. The data collected will allow NIRPS to develop "critical indicators" that will be used to predict the possible effects of policy decisions made by the Government. Additionally, the data will be used to inform senior leadership within the Government regarding decisions on policy, propulsion technology development and acquisitions. This paper will provide the preliminary data and analysis of the 2013 Propulsion Industrial Base Health Metrics Survey conducted by NIRPS.