Given the dramatic changes in the environment for national defense, concurrent with rapid improvements in commercial manufacturing capabilities, the Department of Defense (DOD) requires a new approach to designing, engineering, manufacturing, buying, and upgrading weapon systems.


This book provides both a vision for that new approach and a strategy by which the DOD can accomplish the necessary changes. The result will be a higher quality, more cost-effective weapon systems and a stronger industrial base while still accommodating diminishing procurement budgets.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Executive Summary
Defense Manufacturing on the Defensive
A Change Process...That Changes
The Change Process
DOD is Different...Partly
'We're Already Doing That!'
Defense Manufacturing Would Be Different
Implementing a New Defense Manufacturing Strategy: An Illustrative Model
Appendix A: Review of Study Panel
Appendix B: A Review of Selected Reports on Defense Acquisition and Management
Appendix C: Suggested Reading
Bibliography