Complexity in an Unexpected Place: Quantities in Selected Acquisition Reports
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FIGURE 2. ANNUAL AVERAGE UNIT COST FOR AMRAAM MISSILES
2.5
2.0
Navy
1.5
Air Force
1.0
0.5
0.0
1984
1988
1992
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
2016
2020
2024
2028
Fiscal Year
There is no sense in which an AIM-120D is “the same thing” as an AIM- 120A, or even an AIM-120C7. This is a clear instance in which the implicit assumption that units are interchangeable has been violated.
There is no sense in which an AIM-120D is “the same thing” as an AIM-120A, or even an AIM-120C7.
Of course, within the AMRAAMprogram, its managers have no confusion about the kinds of missiles that are currently being produced, their capabilities, or plans for future improvements. The question, then, is how the program might adjust its data reporting to enhance transparency for planners, analysts, and oversight bodies. Mixed Types of Units Program offices often procure different end items at the same time. These items are usually similar to one another but substantially diferent; yet, for quantity reporting purposes, each is considered one unit. This often comes about because of diferent missions or end users. Sometimes, the types are completely diferent. To illustrate this concept, in this article we look at an electronics suite.
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Defense ARJ, January 2020, Vol. 27No. 1 : 28-59
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