Cost-Performance Choices in Post-Cold War Weapon Systems

This paper considers the question of cost and performance in major weapon systems. The existing state of technology determines what is possible in every new design. How much technology to incorporate into hardware involves choices between performance (better quality) and lower cost (greater numbers). Current design practices place a decided emphasis on performance.


An articulate group of critics with a large following charges that unchecked pursuit of technological opportunities precludes intelligent cost-performance choices. Weapon systems feature large numbers of expensive gadgets that add little to military effectiveness and much to cost. As a result, we're buying in numbers too small to be really effective. These issues were part of a major debate in the 1970s but faded somewhat with increased funding during the 1980s. With the drawdowns and reassessments of the 1990s, the question of numbers versus performance will likely return to prominence.