Land Combat Systems Industry

Abstract : The seminar surveyed the state of the U.S. Land Combat System industry. The study found that the current LCS industry has responded well to the demands of wartime production. Funding fluctuations, Berry Amendment requirements, and long lead times contributed to delays in some procurements, leading the study to make recommendations for improvements to wartime acquisition processes. In the near future, the demand for tactical wheeled vehicles will increase because the Iraq conflict has led to a new emphasis on survivability. Commanders want their trucks armored, networked, and carrying weapons. Current plans also call for an increase in the demand for combat vehicles. Refurbishment and modernization will continue on current systems, and new systems are in development now. A combination of budget problems make it unlikely, however, that DoD will be able to afford to fund all its programs while retaining its current industrial base. DoD may have to make hard decisions about whether to consolidate government depots, and the drop-off in funding may cause more mergers and acquisitions in industry. The study concludes with recommendations for how the United States should manage the industrial base during the inevitable funding drop-off if it wants to be ready for the next war.