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DATE: November 12, 2020

Watch the Mitchell Institute discussion with Lt Gen David Nahom, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, USAF; Lt Gen Clint Hinote, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Integration, and Requirements, USAF; Lt Gen Liquori, Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Analysis, USSF; and Dr. William LaPlante, President, Draper Laboratory on how adopting a “cost-per-effect” approach for procurement and modernization will get the most combat capability given finite resources.

Existing decision metrics unduly focus on things like unit cost and cost per flying hour, which are ineffective in predicting the real-world value in an operational context. Assessment methods need to take into account new operating concepts like JADC2 and Mosaic Warfare, as well as how 5th generation aircraft and new spacecraft can work together in a highly dynamic fashion to achieve operational goals. Given the scale of necessary national security force recapitalization––particularly for the Air Force and Space Force––the Department of Defense needs to focus on combat effectiveness, not simply costs absent mission results.

This panel originally aired as part of the Air Force Association’s 2020 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference.

Watch

Speakers

Lt Gen David A. Deptula USAF (Ret.)Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Lt Gen David S. NahomDeputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs on Aerospace Nation, United States Air Force

Lt Gen S. Clinton HinoteDeputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Integration and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force

Lt Gen William J. Liquori, Jr.Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs, Requirements, and Analysis

Dr William LaPlantePresident, Draper Laboratory