crisis scenario analysed in this investigation (Figure 7 in 
Section 4.2.3). This quantified comparison has been viewed as 
highly conservative due to advantages of prepositioning with 
MOBS. Basing System II will require multiple sorties of 
critically scheduled long range airlift and will risk equip- 
ment breakdown and weather contingencies. 
Conclusion: The cost of a modularized ocean basing system, 
pending definitive cost studies, is of the same order of 
magnitude as the access costs attributable to foreign bases in 
the year 2000. 
Observation: According to a 1988 study by the BDM Corporation 
of McLean, Virginia for The Defense Advanced Rearch Projects 
Agency, it is determined that U.S. overseas basing costs in 
1990 will approximate $8.5 billion, of which $5.5 billion will 
be for access including leasing and providing economic assis- 
tance to host nations. Corresponding figures for the year 
2000 could reach $11 billion with $7.5 billion of that amount 
attributable to access costs. A preliminary construction cost 
estimate for the MOBS with 2 decks and 46 million square feet 
of usable deck space including a 9,900-foot long airstrip as 
depicted in Figure 5, indicates a total cost of $9.43 billion 
for the structure in place (Unit cost for usable deck space is 
estimated at $205 per square foot). 
Conclusion: Financing a MOBS could be viewed as effectively 
transferring the displaced funds for foreign base leasing and 
access thereby, eliminating added financial burden to the U.S. 
Observation: It is readily conceivable that financing the 
construction of MOBS platforms designed to replace high-cost 
foreign bases can be aided by scheduling the construction 
program so as to benefit from released foreign basing funds. 
