The plowshare problem

Article Abstract:

Military contractors face difficult times as military spending is reduced. Some observers say that companies such as Northrup, McDonnell Douglas, General Dynamics and Grumman are not well prepared for commercial ventures, which require a less-conservative and more competitive corporate outlook than is typically found in government-oriented businesses. Some military contractors have tried to resolve this problem by acquiring commercial companies, but this often does not seem to work well. According to John E. Montague, an executive with Martin Marietta, military contractors should stay with large projects because that is what they know and are good at. Montague points to Martin Marietta's own expansion into postal automation systems as an example. The problem of a peacetime conversion is not unique to the United States: both Western Europe and Eastern Europe face similar difficulties. Some observers suggest bulldozing what exists as a preliminary step toward conversion. Some suggest that what needs bulldozing is management.

Column, Economic development, United States economic conditions, Military aspects, Defense contracts, Government Contracts, Defense Contract

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Connversion: whose job?

Article Abstract:

An array of options awaits defense contractors who must manage a shift towards civilian production successfully. They can engage in joint ventures with other business enterprises, purchase nonmilitary companies or manufacture commercial products based on military-related technology. In implementing such economic conversions, however, professional engineers' policy-making role is confined to non-management issues, despite the fact that they are the ones tasked with actual conversion work. Meanwhile, the US government spearheads conversion attempts with its technology transfer programs for teaming up national laboratories and private commercial interests. Backed by the 1986 Federal Technology Transfer Act and the 1989 National Competitiveness Transfer Act, the programs have resulted in several projects in advanced materials and manufacturing processes.

Guided missiles and space vehicles, Defense industries, Analysis, Economics, Conversion, Conversion (Religion), Industry Analysis, Economic conversion

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Artificial expertise

Article Abstract:

Artificial intelligence, encompassing both practical expert systems and cognitive science, involves organizing facts into a logical format, then educing facts and inferences required to reach a conclusion. Existing expert systems apply to narrowly focused tasks with well developed knowledge bases and clear rules of reasoning. The most productive approach to expert systems could be to stress the techniques of their development, thereby advancing their effectiveness in any application.

Artificial intelligence, Expert systems, Systems development, System Development

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