Cost-Benefit Analysis of the 2006 Air Force Materiel Command Test and Evaluation Proposal

Michael R. Thirtle, Michael Boito, Ian P. Cook, Bernard Fox, Phyllis Gilmore, Michelle Grace, Jeff Hagen, Thomas Hamilton, Lawrence M. Hanser, Herb Shukiar, et al.

ResearchPublished May 15, 2008

Late in 2006, the Air Force enlisted RAND Project AIR FORCE's assistance to respond to a requirement in the 2007 Defense Appropriations Act to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of an Air Force proposal to consolidate and divest itself of a portion of the Air Force Materiel Command's test and evaluation facilities and capabilities. The resulting analysis indicated that the proposed consolidation of the 46th and 412th Test Wings could save costs over the Future Years Defense Program from 2007 through 2011 if it occurred in conjunction with the transfer of open-air range flight testing from Eglin Air Force Base (AFB) to Edwards AFB and the Naval Air Warfare Centers at Point Mugu and China Lake. Other parts of the Air Force proposal were considered not to be cost-effective, including the closure of Eglin ground-range test facilities and other test facilities at Eglin AFB, at Holloman AFB, and at Moffett Field. The monograph highlights areas of risk that the Air Force should consider prior to implementation.

Topics

Document Details

Citation

Chicago Manual of Style

Thirtle, Michael R., Michael Boito, Ian P. Cook, Bernard Fox, Phyllis Gilmore, Michelle Grace, Jeff Hagen, Thomas Hamilton, Lawrence M. Hanser, Herb Shukiar, Jerry M. Sollinger, and David Vaughan, Cost-Benefit Analysis of the 2006 Air Force Materiel Command Test and Evaluation Proposal. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2008. https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG619.html.
BibTeX RIS

Research conducted by

The research described in this report was sponsored by the United States Air Force and conducted by RAND Project AIR FORCE.

This publication is part of the RAND monograph series. RAND monographs were products of RAND from 2003 to 2011 that presented major research findings that addressed the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND monographs were subjected to rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.

This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.

RAND is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.