Reconstituting a Production Capability

Past Experience, Restart Criteria and Suggested Policies

John Birkler, Joseph P. Large, Giles K. Smith, Fred Timson

ResearchPublished 1993

This report evaluates the feasibility of restarting weapon system production lines in response to a resurgent major threat and suggests steps that might be taken at shutdown to ease restart. The cost and schedule advantages of restart relative to new-system production are quantified. Criteria are identified for deciding which systems ought to be regarded as candidates for restart, and the application of the criteria is illustrated. Other reconstitution options (e.g. maintaining “warm” production lines, excess production for stockpiling) are briefly reviewed.

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Birkler, John, Joseph P. Large, Giles K. Smith, and Fred Timson, Reconstituting a Production Capability: Past Experience, Restart Criteria and Suggested Policies. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1993. https://www.rand.org/pubs/monograph_reports/MR273.html.
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The research in the report was sponsored by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition. The research was conducted in the National Defense Research Institute, RAND’s federally funded research and development center supported by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff.

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