Weapon System Sustainment: DoD Needs a Strategy for Re-Designing the F-35's Central Logistics System
Abstract
The F-35 is DODs most ambitious and costly weapon system in history, with U.S. sustainment costs estimated at about $1.2 trillion over a 66-year life cycle. Central to the F-35 is ALISa complex system that supports operations, mission planning, supply chain management, maintenance, and other processes. A fully functional ALIS is critical to the F-35s operational success. However, over the past 5 years GAO has reported on key risks associated with the system, such as challenges deploying the F-35 with ALIS, inaccurate data that reside in ALIS, and ineffective training for personnel who need to use ALIS. GAO was asked to review DODs efforts to improve ALIS. This report assesses the extent to which (1) improvements have been made over the past 5 years and challenges remain for ALIS users, and (2) DOD is taking actions toenhance the long-term viability of the system. GAO reviewed F-35 and ALIS program documentation and data, interviewed DOD officials andcontractor employees, and visited five U.S. F-35 sites. GAO is recommending that DOD track how ALIS is affecting readiness of the F-35 fleet and develop a strategy for the ALIS re-design. In addition, GAO believes that Congress should consider requiring DOD to develop a performance measurement process for ALIS. DOD concurred with both of GAOs recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1148430
Entities
People
- Diana Maurer
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office