Book Description

Manufacturing has played a vital role in the development and production of weapons systems used for the defense of the nation. During the Cold War, when defense manufacturing practices and capabilities evolved to meet specific threats to national security, defense products were manufactured largely by a dedicated defense industry. Since the end of the Cold War, however, changing circumstances have significantly influenced defense manufacturing. These include: changing threats to national security; declining defense budgets; consolidation of the defense industry; the increasing globalization of industry; the increasing rate of change of technology; and requirements for environmentally compatible manufacturing. The National Research Council's Committee on Defense Manufacturing in 2010 and Beyond was formed to identify a framework for defense manufacturing in 2010 and to recommend strategies for attaining the capabilities that will be needed. To accomplish these objectives the committee (1) reviewed major trends that are changing the context of defense manufacturing and identified challenges to be met; (2) reviewed existing defense planning documents to identify defense-critical and defense-unique manufacturing capabilities; (3) reviewed advances in commercial manufacturing and identified those with the potential to meet defense manufacturing challenges, and (4) recommended strategies for developing the manufacturing capabilities that will be required in 2010 and beyond.