Research Catalog

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

Title
Expendable missiles vs. reusable platform costs and historical data / Thomas Hamilton.
Author
Hamilton, Thomas.
Publication
Santa Monica, CA : RAND, 2012.

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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
Subject
  • Air warfare > Economic aspects > United States
  • Air-to-surface missiles > Cost effectiveness
  • Bombardment
  • Bombing, Aerial > United States
  • Precision guided munitions > United States
  • United States > Cost effectiveness
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).
Processing Action (note)
  • committed to retain
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.
ISBN
  • 9780833074553 (pbk. : alk. paper)
  • 0833074555 (pbk. : alk. paper)
LCCN
^^2012033365
Owning Institutions
Harvard Library