What Are the Relevant Key Factors to be Used During the Decision Making Processfor Acquiring a New Weapon System vs Modernizing an Existing One

摘要

The acquisition of a major weapon system, such as an aircraft, is a costly andlong term effort, often requiring the commitment of billions of dollars over a period of years. Normally the requirements are laid down years in advance of when the equipment will be delivered to the units. In the meantime technology changes and the potential enemy could revise his battle forces, or his strategy and tactics. That means that what was a valid requirement can become an obsolescence. Neither it is possible to modify while the weapon system is under construction, because when industrial toolings have been built, when metal has been cut and thousands of assemblers have been hired, modification becomes disruptive Thus, the requirement must be clearly drawn and should have a high degree of rigidity. But this rigidity is one of the shortcomings of the requirement process. Despite of the interaction between the developer, the user and the policymakers during weapons development, the events, the evolving strategy, and newer technology will outmode the initial project. The Department of Defense (DOD) has established a process to aid decision makers in dealing with these complexities and uncertainties. The process designate milestones at which decisions are required for major new systems. The Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) reviews the options available at each of the milestones points, and then recommends to the Secretary of Defense whether to proceed with a program as proposed (or with modifications) or to terminate the effort.