The Air Force and the Great Engine War

First published in 1987 by the National Defense University (NDU) Press, a government publishing arm, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, publishing vital national security materials like Joint Force Quarterly, books, and monographs for military and government professionals, with the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) often selling their output. It serves as the academic publisher for NDU, furthering defense education and policy. Therefore, this work is public domain. This story focuses on the complex considerations and interactions which permeate every step in bringing a major weapon system from a mental image to the drawing board, to production, and on to operational use. Along the way the work is saturated with incessant concerns over congressional actions, inter-Service rivalry, interstaff squabbles, and contractor posturing as well as hard-core problems with the technology.The objective of this book is to demonstrate how individuals working in an environment of seemingly endless distractions and frustrations can still have a vision of what makes sense and persist in making the ideal a reality. This book especially examines the 1984 "war" that pitted Pratt and Whitney against GE in head-to-head competition for multi billion dollar defense contracts to provide high performance engines for front line fighter aircraft. The circumstances surrounding the lengthy battle led to the Air Force decision to split future engine sales between the two. Attempts to cut through emotional opinions of the "combatants," to report reality, and to identify lessons learned. Helps the reader to understand the government-to-contractor personality issues; to understand management styles, business expectations and communication skills of key participants. Read more