| Description |
1 online resource (x, 15 pages) : illustrations. |
| Series |
RAND Corporation technical report series ; TR1230 |
|
Technical report (Rand Corporation) ; TR1230.
|
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (page 15). |
| Summary |
This report evaluates the economic wisdom of relying primarily on expendable weapons, such as cruise missiles, to conduct air-to-ground strike missions. Focusing solely on cost, the author examined the U.S. historical use of air-to-ground attack during and since the Vietnam War, looking, among other things, at the length of each conflict and the weapons expended. Only if the United States is confident that all possible conflicts over the system lifetime can be ended in a total of less than about ten days is exclusive reliance on expendable assets prudent. Expendable weapons do have some important operational advantages, but if the United States wishes to maintain the capability to wage air war efficiently for more than a few days, reusable platforms are an important part of an efficient force mix. |
| Note |
Online resource; title from PDF title screen (viewed on Oct. 7, 2012). |
| Funding |
The research described in this report was sponsored by the United States Air Force under Contract FA7014-06-C-0001. |
| Contents |
Expendable Missiles Versus Reusable Platform Costs and Historical Data -- Appendix A: Model Assumptions and Methodology -- Appendix B: Data Sources -- Appendix C: Additional Cost Excursions. |
| Subject |
Air warfare -- Economic aspects -- United States.
|
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Air-to-surface missiles -- Cost effectiveness.
|
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Bombing, Aerial -- United States.
|
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Precision guided munitions -- United States.
|
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United States -- Armed Forces -- Weapons systems -- Cost effectiveness.
|
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Bombardment.
|
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Electronic books -- UML.
|
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TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING -- Military Science.
|
| Added Author |
Project Air Force (U.S.)
|
|
Rand Corporation.
|
| ISBN |
9780833083227 (electronic bk.) |
|
0833083228 (electronic bk.) |
|
