B-2 BOMBER Initial Flight Tests

Abstract

The B-2 bomber is one of the most costly Department of Defense programs. Its high cost, unique design, and highly classified nature have made it the subject of considerable controversy. The fiscal year 1990 Defense Authorization Act requires the Department of Defense to accomplish certain flight tests before fiscal year 1990 B-2procurement funds are obligated. The act also requires GAO to review the Department of Defenses test reports and evaluation documents on theB-2 aircraft program and submit periodic reports to the Congress on the results of the review. Specifically, GAO'S reports are to evaluate (1) the rigor, realism, and adequacy of the test and evaluation activities, (2)whether testing complied with the full performance matrix, which compares planned test progress with program milestones, and (3) whether threat data as agreed with the U.S. intelligence community were fully used in the test process. This summary discusses GAO'S evaluation of the initial series of flight tests, known as Block 1.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1990
Accession Number
AD1105583

Entities

People

  • Matthew Lea
  • Michael J. Hazard
  • Nancy R. Kingsbury
  • Robert Murphy

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Altitude
  • California
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Environment
  • Flight Testing
  • House Of Representatives
  • Intelligence Community
  • Low Altitude
  • Medium Altitude
  • National Security
  • Procurement
  • Refueling
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Government and Public Administration Law.