F-35 Joint Strike Fighter: DOD's Proposed Follow-on Modernization Acquisition Strategy Reflects an Incremental Approach Although Plans Are Not Yet Finalized
Abstract
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is the Department of Defenses (DOD) most expensive and ambitious acquisition program. In April 2017, we reported that acquisition costs alone are estimated at nearly $400 billion, and operating and sustainment costs are estimated to be over $1 trillion. 1 Meanwhile, due to evolving threats and changing warfighting environments, DOD has begun planning and funding the development of new capabilities for the F-35, known as F35 follow-on modernization. 2 The research, development, test and evaluation (RDT and E) fundingneeded for the first modernization phase, known as Block 4, is projected to be over $3.9 billion through 2022, which would exceed the statutory and regulatory thresholds for what constitutes a major defense acquisitions program (MDAP), and would make it more expensive than many of the other MDAPs already in DODs portfolio. 3 However, DOD does not plan to make the F-35 Block 4 a separate MDAP. Instead, DOD plans to manage it under the existing F-35 acquisition program baseline. As we recommended in our April 2016 report, the modernization program should be designated as its own separate MDAP, similar to the F-22 modernization program. In that report, we also recommended that the Secretary of Defense hold a Milestone B review and manage F-35 Block 4 as its own separate and distinct MDAP with its own acquisition baseline and regular cost, schedule, and performance reports to Congress. 4 Because DOD did not concur with our recommendation, we suggested that Congress consider requiring DOD to do so. Congress has since mandated in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 that the Secretary of Defense submit a report by the end of March 2017 containing the basic elements of an Acquisition Program Baseline for the F-35 Block 4 and also required that we review DODs report.5
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 08, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1169881
Entities
People
- Emily Bond
- Hai Tran
- Jennifer Leone
- Jillena Roberts
- Kristine Hassinger
- Michael J. Sullivan
- Nathaniel Vaught
- Robin Wilson
- Susan Ditto
- Travis J. Masters
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office