Systems Integration in the US Defence Industry

Abstract

A number of different kind of organizations in the US defence industry claim expertise in systems integration, including major prime contractors that build weapons systems, for‐profit and non‐profit technical advisors, and government laboratories and organizations that manage weapons acquisition. Describes the supply and demand structure for the various types of systems integration capabilities. Considers various ways of measuring the quality of systems integration capabilities, including the limits of regulatory standards enforcement and of non‐market competition among systems integration organisations. Finally, it proposes ways to preserve vital systems integration capability in a political economic environment that normally favours spending on production rather than on project management expertise.