Author: J. R. Nelson

Publisher:

Published: 1980

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13:

As aeronautical technologies continue to advance, V/STOL airplanes will become increasingly more attractive for a variety of military missions. The decision whether to approve the acquisition of a V/STOL airplane for a particular mission will depend upon factors that include the airplane's expected performance capability, the likely acquisition cost, and the likely amount of time required for research and development. To develop guidelines and techniques for critically evaluating these factors, RAND has analyzed past V/STOL research and development programs, examined the current state of pertinent aeronautical technologies, and developed appropriate analytical tools where suitable information exists. The introduction of future V/STOL airplanes for military missions will continue to depend on mission needs that place a high operational value on the special capabilities of V/STOL airplanes--an operational value high enough to warrant the exceptionally long development times and the premium prices (compared with conventional airplanes) that must be paid for research, development, and procurement.