Cost effective analysis comparing the small diameter bomb and the joint standoff weapon (A+ Variant)

Abstract

This MBA project investigated and analyzed the cost effectiveness of implementing the Joint Standoff Weapon A+ (JSOW A+) variant versus the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB). The primary goal was to compare the "cost per kill" for each weapon system in its intended operational environment against an existing target set. The secondary goal was to determine most cost effective optimum mix of weapons that would destroy the given target set. The optimum mix was determined using either the SDB or the JSOW A+ in combination with the current family of JSOW weapons, and was calculated based upon each weapons' cost-effectiveness. A computer model generated the cost-effectiveness of each weapon system by dividing weapon cost by weapon effectiveness. During the process of answering our research questions we discovered different scenarios identifying JSOW A+ as comparatively more, and in several scenarios comparatively less cost-effective than the SDB. The scenarios and results are subject to the assumptions and limitations defined within this report. This project explores the different scenarios to provide the acquisition program manager with the relevant data to make informed decisions concerning the direction of their program.