Cost, schedule, and performance tradeoffs in the acquisition of major weapon systems.

Abstract

In the current period of fiscal restraint, the acquisition of weapon systems has come under ever increasing scrutiny. Costs of these systems are influenced by performance characteristics of the system and schedule demands placed on the acquisition process. The objective of this thesis is to investigate previous research performed in the area of cost, schedule, and performance tradeoffs in the acquisition of major weapon systems. Results of the literature review indicate that several cost-schedule-performance models have been performed in two areas: aircraft airframes and aircraft turbine engines. Those models are compiled and explained. Methodological problems associated with tradeoff studies of this type are discussed. An annotated bibliography of relevant source documents is also provided.