The Laser-Guided Bomb: Case History of a Development

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Abstract:

This report is a case study of a successful R and D product--the laser guided bomb LGB. The narrative begins with the work of the Armys Missile Command at the Redstone Arsenal 1962, continues with the initial LGB prototype competition between Texas Instruments TI and North American- Autonetics 1966, details the decisions within Hq USAF to continue the development through the engineering prototype contract with TI 1968, and ends with the award of the acquisition contract to TI 1969. Six facets of the LGB development are analyzed competitive prototype development early and repeated testing of system hardware interaction of technology and requirements in design and performance specifications incremental development delegation of development decisions and the availability of contingency development funds. These six features, working interactively, provided a flexibility in development that produced a low-cost, high-performance system within a relatively short time frame.

Author(s):
Deleon, Peter
Author Organization(s):
RAND CORP SANTA MONICA CA
Supplementary Note:
Report on Acquisition Studies Program.
Pagination:
0062

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
R-1312-1-PR
Contract/Grant Number(s):
F44620-73-C-0011
Monitor Series:
AFRDC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_5.5.1_Communicate Intent and Guidance; JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_4.6.1_General Engineering; JCA_5.4.3_Establish Rule Sets; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_5.3.4_Develop Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.5_Analyze Courses of Action; JCA_4.2_Supply; JCA_4.2.1_Manage Supplies and Equipment; JCA_1.2.6_Concepts; JCA_4.4_Logistics Services; JCA_4.2.3_Manage Global Supplier Networks; JCA_1.2.5_Lessons Learned; JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_5.2_Understand; JCA_1.2.3_Educating
Modernization Areas:
Space; Fully Networked C3
Communities of Interest:
Weapons Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*LASER GUIDANCE, *BOMBS, CONTRACTS, CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION, OPTICAL TARGET DESIGNATORS, PROTOTYPES, GUIDED BOMBS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Lasers and Masers, Aerial Bombs, Fire Control and Bombing Systems
Keyword(s):
*SMART BOMBS
Report Date:
1974 Jun 01