The Joint Advanced Strike Technology (JAST) resulted from the decisions of the Secretary of Defense' Bottom Up Review (BUR). Each service has a demonstrated need for advanced technology aircraft to meet future contingencies, but it was determined that costs for development and production of these several different aircraft could not be met due to budgetary constraints. The BUR found that there were not enough resources available to support all these programs in future years. The decision was made to continue with the Air Force F-22 fighter aircraft, and the F/A-18E/F aircraft for the Navy, but to cancel the A/F-X and the MRF. The decision on ASTOL was to continue that research, but to secure specific commitment of resources by at least two of the three Services before building a flying prototype. The BUR also confirmed the continuing needs that were to be met by the A/F-X and MRF programs. This led to the establishment of the Joint Advanced Strike Technology Program in July 1993.

This report presents the recommendations of the Defense Science Board (DSB) Summer Study Task Force on Engineering in the Manufacturing Process. The terms of reference (TOR) for this Task Force represent a logical continuation of DSB manufacturing studies performed in prior years, particularly in the areas of integrated product and process development (IPPD)2and dual-use-manufacturing. In this study, however, the primary focus is on Science and Technology (S AND T) and the application of IPPD and dual-use concepts even earlier than previous studies have recommended. During its study, the Task Force addressed engineering and manufacturing management and technology approaches that can be used to achieve a better product and process balance in the S AND T phase, which precedes the formal acquisition process, and that result in both unit production and total life cycle cost reduction. It chose S AND T "exit criteria" and metrics as the means to demonstrate process as well as performance capability during the S AND T phase and to reduce downstream acquisition risks. The Task Force also examined a key enabler of IPPD and manufacturing enterprise control-advanced modeling and simulation technology. The work in this area by this Task Force relates to the work of another DSB Summer Study that specifically addressed simulation, the Readiness, Simulation, and Prototyping Task Force. The expanded use of best commercial products, practices, and manufacturing capabilities was also considered as an additional way to meet the Department of Defense (DOD) future needs for rapid transition to production and economic low-volume manufacturing. As a result of its deliberations, the Task Force developed specific recommendations for experiments to be conducted within S AND T Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATDs) to validate the benefits of the new recommended approaches to S AND T contained in this report.