MISSILE DEFENSE: Some Progress Delivering Capabilities, but Challenges with Testing Transparency and Requirements Development Need to Be Addressed
Abstract
Since 2002, MDA has been developing a Ballistic Missile Defense System comprised of a command and control system, radars that can identify incoming threats, and intercepting missiles. MDA has received approximately $123 billion and is planning to spend an additional $37 billion through fiscal year 2021 to continue its efforts. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 included a provision that GAO assess the extent to which MDA has achieved its acquisition goals and objectives. This report addresses the progress and challenges in fiscal year 2016 associated with MDA: (1) achieving fiscal year 2016 testing, asset, and capability delivery goals, (2) ensuring transparency of test schedules and costs, and (3) establishing a sound business case for future efforts. GAO reviewed the planned fiscal year 2016 baselines as stated in the BMDS Accountability Report and other program documentation and assessed them against program and baseline reviews and GAO's acquisition best practices guides. In addition, GAO interviewed DOD and MDA officials.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1168598
Entities
People
- Alyssa Weir
- Brian Tittle
- Cristina Chaplain
- Hai V. Tran
- Helena Johnson
- Jason T. Lee
- Jeff Cherwonik
- Jennifer Echard;
- Joe Kirschbaum
- Karen Richey
- Katherine Lenane
- Latonya Miller
- Matthew Ambrose
- Robin Wilson
- Stephanie Gustafson
- Steven Stern
- Wiktor Niewiadomski
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office