The Complexity-Adaptability Paradox: Issues for Combat Aircraft Development Paperback / softback - 2012

The increasing severity of threats leads modern air forces to develop ever more complex and more specialized solutions to better solve specific tactical challenges they expect to face such as improved air defenses. The increased complexity of these weapon systems, however, increases the time and cost to field them as well as to adapt them for new missions or threats. At the same time, rapid technological change makes such adaptability more important to counter the increase in threat variety and capability. Furthermore, the increasing rate of technological and geopolitical change undermine the likely accuracy and validity of weapon system requirements written for a notional security environment two decades in the future. This increases the need for more adaptable systems. This relationship between complexity and adaptability can be described as a Complexity-Adaptability Paradox. Current USAF fighter force structure plans could yield a force that, by 2035, lacks sufficient adaptability to cope with the variety and severity of national security threats it faces.

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