TACTICAL AIRCRAFT: Questions Concerning the F 22A's Business Case

Abstract

The F-22A- the Air Forces next generation air superiority fighter aircraft- incorporates a low observable (stealth) and highly maneuverable airframe, advanced integrated avionics, and a new engine capable of sustained supersonic flight without the use of afterburners. The F-22A acquisition history is a case study in increased cost and schedule inefficiency. Since the programs inception in 1986, the Air Force has added new requirements, more than doubled the length of the acquisition schedule, cut purchase quantities by more than 75 percent, and increased total acquisition unit costs by more than 100 percent. The F-22A programs significant cost and schedule growth is illustrative of a number of systemic problems in the Department of Defenses (DOD) major weapon system acquisitions. Currently, DOD is proposing to buy the remaining 60 F-22As under a 3-year contract. At the request of this subcommittee, GAO was asked for its views on DODs latest plan to restructure the program and on the Air Forces request for authority to enter into a multiyear contract to implement this restructuring.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 25, 2006
Accession Number
AD1177446

Entities

People

  • David M. Walker

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Superiority Fighters
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Case Studies
  • Commerce
  • Congress
  • Contracts
  • Department Of Defense
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Governments
  • National Security
  • Procurement
  • Production
  • Tactical Aircraft
  • United States
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Public Financial Management and Budgeting

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics