Missile Defense: Knowledge-Based Practices Are Being Adopted, but Risks Remain

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DOD) would like to build a capable missile defense system that paces an ever-evolving threat. This is an expensive and risky endeavor because it requires a diverse set of technologies to be quickly developed, integrated, and deployed across an array of platforms. DOD estimates that it will need $50 billion for missile defense research and development over the next 6 years and likely additional funds in subsequent years. GAO was asked to review the Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) strategy for this investment and determine what knowledge-based practices characteristic of successful programs are being adopted by MDA; what significant practices are not being adopted; and whether MDA is following the practices that it has adopted.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 30, 2003
Accession Number
AD1155783

Entities

People

  • Robert E. Levin

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Cost Estimates
  • Defense Systems
  • Department Of Defense
  • Early Warning Systems
  • Engineering
  • Ground Based
  • Life Cycle Costs
  • Life Cycles
  • Logistics
  • Midcourse Defense
  • Military Acquisition
  • Money
  • Product Development
  • Test And Evaluation
  • United States

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Missile Defense Systems.