U. S. Military Aircraft Coproduction with Japan

摘要

The United States enters into coproduction arrangements primarily for defense and foreign policy reasons. Basically, the Departments of Defense (DOD) and State have the authority and responsibility for negotiating and concluding coproduction agreements, usually Memorandums of Understanding (MOU). These government-to-government MOUs with Japan are commonly implemented by commercial licensed production and technical assistance agreements with the U.S. manufacturers. The F-15 program was begun at a time when Japan was targeting its aircraft industry, as well as other high-technology industries, for development. Japan was steadily reducing the importance of its lower technology industries, such as shipbuilding, and favoring the development of high-technology export industries. Japan's major aircraft manufacturers expanded and upgraded their production facilities in order to handle their F-15, P-3C, and Boeing 767 work shares. Through these military and civil programs, combined, the Japanese companies expanded their production capacity, technology base, and aircraft production labor force. (SDW)