Are New Acquisition Programs Taking Longer to Develop/Field and If So, Why? (Paperback)

This study analyzes the Air Force fighter aircraft development and acquisition environment to determine if current aircraft acquisitions have longer development cycles than in the past and if so, why? This report directly compares the programs and acquisition environment of the early 1970's to the programs and acquisition environment of today. Specific examples studied were the F-15, F-16, F/A-22, and F-35. The subcategories examined include technology, schedule, budget, acquisition processes and acquisition climate.