Abstract
Influences leading to the high cost of acquiring advanced weapon systems are examined, including the historical background of defense procurement and the difficulty of measuring the military value of these systems. Efforts to improve the military contracting system are detailed, including the McNamara reforms, and analysis is given of new efforts to reform weapons procurement. An important recent trend has been the changing composition of the military budgets, resulting from inflation and growing manpower costs. Recent developments by European competitors in the aircraft industry are explored, and possibilities for market diversification are suggested. Finally, military and government support of research and development is discussed in terms of technological advance.
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