Bomber R & D Since 1945: The Role of ExperienceAnecdotal evidence suggests that experience plays a critical role in the cost-effectiveness design and development of successful military aircraft. Understanding the true situation may be essential to meet Air Force needs despite declining R & D budgets, few new programs starts, and industry contraction. To examine this issue, the authors explore the history of U.S. bomber production since the end of World War II. They conclude that relevant experience does, indeed, matter--firms develop valuable system-specific knowledge in ongoing work, and experience in important new technologies has a distinct advantage. There is far less correlation between commercial and military aircraft than was once thought, so such experience is unlikely to be useful. And since major breakthroughs in technology, design approaches, and concepts have come far more often from government labs than from the commercial sector, the contribution of "dual-use" technology to future military aircraft design and development may be limited. |
Common terms and phrases
aerodynamic aerospace industry aircraft design aircraft development airframe American and Convair areas avionics Bodilly Boeing Boeing's bomber competition bomber design bomber development bomber programs bomber R&D canceled combat aircraft commercial transports companies composite materials compression lift concept Convair B-36 cost decades design and development design proposal Douglas dramatic Dynamics early effort engine expertise fighter and bomber fighter development fighter-bomber firm-specific capabilities firm-specific knowledge firms Fixed-Wing Aircraft flight-test follow-on Grumman Gunston heavy bomber heavy strategic bomber high-speed importance of experience jet bomber jet fighter Knaack late leadership Lockheed Lockheed's Mach major Martin McDonnell medium bombers missiles Navy North American Northrop numbers period postwar prime contractors procurement prototype R&D programs radar RAND Rockwell role of experience speed stealth technology strategic bomber successful supersonic bomber supersonic fighter swing wings swing-wing system-specific capabilities tactical technology demonstration THAP U.S. Air Force weapon systems wing World War II
References to this book
Assessing Competitive Strategies for the Joint Strike Fighter ..., Issue 1362 J. L. Birkler No preview available - 2001 |