Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs

This is GAO s annual assessment of DOD weapon system acquisitions, an area that is on GAO s High-Risk List. DOD and Congress have taken meaningful steps to improve the acquisition of major weapon systems, yet many programs are still falling short of cost and schedule estimates. Moreover, GAO has emp...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sullivan, Michael J, Keener, J K, Drerup, Matthew T, Mulcare, Jonathan, Owens, Danny, Shivers, Charlie, Smythe, Wendy
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
ACQUISITION
COSTS
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
GAO REPORTS
KNOWLEDGE-BASED ACQUISITION PRACTICES
Logistics, Military Facilities and Supplies
MILITARY BUDGETS
MILITARY PROCUREMENT
PERFORMANCE(HUMAN)
SCHEDULING
WEAPON SYSTEM ACQUISITIONS
WEAPON SYSTEMS
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Summary:This is GAO s annual assessment of DOD weapon system acquisitions, an area that is on GAO s High-Risk List. DOD and Congress have taken meaningful steps to improve the acquisition of major weapon systems, yet many programs are still falling short of cost and schedule estimates. Moreover, GAO has emphasized the importance of completing developmental testing before programs enter production and pointed out risks associated with such concurrent testing and production. With expected budgetary pressures, DOD cannot afford to miss opportunities to address inefficiencies in these programs to free up resources for higher priority needs. This report responds to a mandate in the joint explanatory statement to the DOD Appropriations Act, 2009. It includes observations on (1) the cost and schedule performance of DOD s 2013 portfolio of 80 major defense acquisition programs; (2) the knowledge attained at key junctures in the acquisition process for 38 programs that were in development or early production; and (3) key acquisition reform initiatives and program concurrency. To develop the observations in this report, GAO analyzed cost, schedule, and quantity data from DOD s Selected Acquisition Reports. GAO also collected data from program offices on technology, design, and manufacturing knowledge; the use of knowledge-based acquisition practices; and the implementation of acquisition reforms and initiatives. In commenting on a draft of this report, DOD cited its commitment to acquisition excellence and its positive effect on programs. Report to Congressional Committees