Role of Metric in U.S. Exports. Metric Measurement in International Trade: Case 4. The Aerospace Industry

摘要

This case study analyzes how metric enters into the international trade in the aerospace industry. The report is based on information from the American National Metric Council, interviews with trade associations and firms within the industry, government agencies dealing with the industry's international trade, and review of the literature in the industry. U. S. firms do not make metric civil aircraft, and most military aircraft and missiles are in inch-pound units. Since the U. S. has dominated world aerospace design and production, U.S. parts, standards and practices are accepted around the world. However, U. S. dominance is eroding, which will bring about a slow movement to metric. The military will most likely take the lead in movement to metric.