"The objective of this paper was to develop a systematic method for evaluating any and all possible solutions to a Qualitative Materiel Development Objective (QMDO) or Operational Capability Objective (OCO). AR 705-5 (Reference No. 1) requires that, in preparing a Qualitative Materiel Approach (QMA), all feasible solutions be considered and that the approaches which are best from a technical standpoint be recommended. Therefore, a simple, rapid, uniform method of evaluating all possible solutions is needed, if a rapid response to a QMDO or OCO is to be made. One of the biggest problems in evaluating proposed systems is accurate determination of system weight. A method of determining the total system weight of any proposed 105mm towed howitzer was developed, using available computer programs whenever possible. A decision matrix was developed to induce uniform evaluation of all possible systems. Using this matrix the optimal system configuration can be selected, for any given set of requirements. The final product of the decision matrix, developed in this paper, is an overall performance rating for each system being evaluated. This study considered 24 possible systems."--Page 1.

"March 1970"--Title page.

Introduction --Summary of results -- Description of method -- Selection of basic weapon configuration -- Possible ballistic solutions -- Defining weapons alternatives -- Weight estimations -- Decision rule for optimal system selection -- Rationale used in decision model -- Conclusions and recommendations -- Appendix A Extrapolation graphs -- Appendix B Computer program and print out.