Obaid Younossi Boeken

Examining these two programs illustrates the real difficulties and successes of the U.S. military aircraft acquisition process.

The book delves into how various materials and manufacturing techniques influence the costs associated with airframe production. It examines the broader implications of these cost factors on acquisition policies, providing insights into decision-making processes within the aerospace industry. Through detailed analysis, it highlights the relationship between material choices, manufacturing methods, and financial outcomes, offering a valuable perspective for policymakers and industry professionals.

In April 2009, the Department of Defense decided to terminate production of the F-22A Raptor. In advance of the decision, the Air Force asked RAND Project AIR FORCE to identify the costs and the industrial base implications of various shutdown options. This monograph evaluates the implications of three shutdown options for the F-22A industrial capability: shutdown; shutdown and restart; and "warm" production, in which a small number of aircraft are produced until a decision is made to return to full-rate production.