Competition and Innovation in the U.S. Fixed-Wing Military Aircraft Industry

摘要

In the first couple of decades following World War II, over a dozen firms competed vigorously to develop and produce U.S. military aircraft. During the ensuing years, some firms left the business and others merged, so that by 1990 only eight firms survived. In the following few years, the pace of consolidation quickened. Today, only three firms are capable of developing and producing major military aircraft systems. Policymakers have expressed concern that further consolidation could erode the competitive environment, which has been a fundamental driver of innovation in the military aircraft industry.