National Research Council, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, Board on Manufacturing and Engineering Design, Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems, Committee on Defense Manufacturing in 2010 and Beyond Defense Manufacturing in 2010 and Beyond

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The end of the Cold War, the evolving mission of the U.S. Armed Services, the dramatic improvements in commercial manufacturing--these and other trends are changing how we provide for the common defense. What will we need in the way of defense manufacturing in the year 2010--a short few years away? How should we best spend our defense funds?Defense Manufacturing in 2010 and Beyond sets forth a vision for the nation's defense manufacturing, including policies, technologies, systems, processes, practices, and financial implications. Eight specific trends are forecast--defense spending, the relationship between defense and commerical industries, the nature of the threat to our nation, the emergence of new technologies, and other areas--and their implications for defense manufacturing are explored.The committee describes manufacturing advancements that are around the corner--virtual enterprise, and more--and examines how these breakthroughs will likely meet or fail to meet defense manufacturing requirements. This expert panel identifies the highest priorities and recommends strategies for matching future manufacturing capabilities with our defense needs. February