Research Catalog

Title

Expendable missiles vs. reusable platform costs and historical data / Thomas Hamilton.

Author

Hamilton, Thomas.

Publication

Santa Monica, CA : RAND, 2012.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Project Air Force (U.S.)

Description

x, 15 p. : ill. (some col.); 28 cm.

Summary

This report evaluates the economic wisdom of relying primarily on expendable weapons, such as cruise missiles, to conduct air-to-ground strike missions. Focusing solely on cost, the author examined the U.S. historical use of air-to-ground attack during and since the Vietnam War, looking, among other things, at the length of each conflict and the weapons expended. Only if the United States is confident that all possible conflicts over the system lifetime can be ended in a total of less than about ten days is exclusive reliance on expendable assets prudent. Expendable weapons do have some important operational advantages, but if the United States wishes to maintain the capability to wage air war efficiently for more than a few days, reusable platforms are an important part of an efficient force mix.

Series Statement

Technical report ; TR-1230-AF

Uniform Title

Technical report (Rand Corporation) ; TR-1230-AF.

Alternative Title

Expendable missiles versus reusable platform costs and historical data

Subjects

• Air-to-surface missiles > Cost effectiveness
• Precision guided munitions > United States
• Air warfare > Economic aspects > United States
• Bombing, Aerial > United States
• United States > Armed Forces > Weapons systems > Cost effectiveness
• Bombardment

Note

• "Project Air Force"
• "Prepared for the United States Air Force."

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (p. 15).

Additional Formats (note)

• Also available online (PDF).

Contents

Expendable Missiles Versus Reusable Platform Costs and Historical Data -- Appendix A: Model Assumptions and Methodology -- Appendix B: Data Sources -- Appendix C: Additional Cost Excursions.

Call Number

JAX B-23053

ISBN

• 9780833074553 (pbk. : alk. paper)
• 0833074555 (pbk. : alk. paper)

LCCN

2012033365

OCLC

808009692

Author

Hamilton, Thomas.

Title

Expendable missiles vs. reusable platform costs and historical data / Thomas Hamilton.

Imprint

Santa Monica, CA : RAND, 2012.

Series

Technical report ; TR-1230-AF

Technical report (Rand Corporation) ; TR-1230-AF.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (p. 15).

Additional Formats

Also available online (PDF).

Connect to:

http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/technical_reports/2012/RAND_TR1230.pdf

Added Author

Project Air Force (U.S.)

Research Call Number

JAX B-23053