Multinational Coproduction of Military Aerospace Systems A Project Air Force Report

Assesses cost and schedule implications of acquiring weapon systems using multinational coproduction by examining experiences accumulated in a large and diverse set of aerospace development and production programs. Describes and, where possible, quantifies marked U.S. and European differences in such areas as production scale, workforce policies, schedule philosophy, and manufacturing methods that are a key to understanding the special consequences of international involvement in U.S. weapons production. Discusses implications of U.S. and European differences for collaborative production programs. Examines in detail the cost and schedule implications of coproduction in the F-16 fighter aircraft program, one of the most ambitious collaborative efforts ever attempted by the United States. Concludes with findings and policy-related observations, some of which are specific to the F-16 program, and others which address more general issues associated with multinational coproduction.