The effect that defense reform has had on the procurement of major weapon systems is a topic that will often be debated as the Department of Defense and the military services transform to meet the needs for the uncertainties of the 21st century and beyond. For this reason, a study of the evolution of defense budgeting and acquisition and the significant pieces of legislation that shaped the way we acquire major weapon systems provides insight into our current structure and effectiveness of federal budgeting and acquisition process. Presented in this thesis are the effects that the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 (GNA) had on the procurement of the V-22. This study provides a detailed look at factors that led up to the enactment of GNA. It will also examine acquisition shortcomings that led to the passing of the legislation and budget shortfalls in the 1980s that carried over to the early 1990s. This thesis, in particular, studies the early days of the Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) technology and the research and development advancements up to the development of the V-22. It also assesses the characteristics of the V-22 design and its ability to influence combat technology. This thesis assesses the impact and implications that the legislation had on the V-22 as a major weapons system. The thesis concludes that recommendations of the GNA were not adopted and, therefore, not properly implemented and that the GNA had little to no effect on acquisition and production of the V-22.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)