Defense-Industrial Initiatives Group - Related Publication

DIIG Current Issues No. 17: Contracting for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan

gsanders — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The U.S. government has spent $153B in 2008 dollars on contracts in Iraq, Afghanistan, and their neighborhoods since fiscal year (FY) 2001, according to the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS). In June 2009, 194,000 contractors were working for the U.S. government in Iraq and Afghanistan, compared to 190,000 U.S. troops. At least 1,200 contractors have been killed in the two wars.

DIIG Current Issues No. 16: Wrestling with Complexity in Defense Programs

jhofbauer — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

In recent years, defense programs are more ambitious than any previously attempted. They promise unprecedented capability through integrating groundbreaking technologies into network-centric systems-of-systems, such as the Army’s Future Combat System (FCS) and the Coast Guard’s Integrated Deepwater System (IDS).

DIIG Current Issues No. 15: Implications of European Defense Acquisition Reform

jhofbauer — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The European defense market is undergoing profound changes. Four distinct trends are altering the landscape of European defense acquisition, with some of them underscoring the shift of defense matters from national capitals towards the European Union (EU). First, participation in international operations is substantially affecting acquisition priorities.

DIIG Current Issues No. 14: Unmanned Aircraft Systems, 2010-2050

gsanders — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Given the value of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to provide Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and firepower without placing warfighters at undue risk, these systems are receiving much attention and growing increasingly sophisticated and versatile. The U.S.

DIIG Current Issues No. 13: Measuring the Defense Industrial Value of Acquisition Programs

jhofbauer — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The primary objective of defense acquisition is to provide the warfighter with adequate equipment in a timely and economical way. A cornerstone in this process is the availability of a reliable, cost-effective, and sufficient industrial base that can develop, produce, and provide the products and services required by the Department of Defense (DoD). Section 2440 of U.S.

Organizing for a Complex World: The Way Ahead

jhofbauer — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

DIIG Current Issues No. 12: U.S. Competitiveness in the Fighter Aircraft Export Market

sherry — Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

In his April 6, 2009 address, Sec. Gates discussed his vision for the F-22 “Raptor” and the F-35 “Lightning II”, two of the U.S. aerospace industry’s most prominent programs.

DIIG Current Issues No. 11: Aerospace & Defense: Inventing and Selling the Next Generation

twalton — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

“For innovation success,” wrote MIT researcher Michael Schrage, “do not follow the money.” He argued that while we can easily measure inputs such as research and development (R&D) spending, outputs and outcomes, such as R&D productivity or customers won or retained, tell us much more about the ability to innovate successfully.

DIIG Current Issues No. 10: Tracking U.S. Arms Sales to Iraq

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

On July 25, 2008, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the possible sale of six C-130J-30 aircraft and support systems to Iraq. DSCA has since issued 11 press releases alerting of follow-up sales. With the potential to total more than $14 billion in revenue for U.S.

DIIG Current Issues No. 9: An Economic Overview of U.S. Arms Sales

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

In the past two decades, the U.S. has exported arms worth well over $10 billion annually (in 2008 dollars). Tightly regulated by the government, these sales remain controversial. Advocates cite benefits such as political influence, greater interoperability with allies, a more resilient defense-industrial base, and cost savings from economies of scale.