Implications of Highly Sophisticated Weapon Systems on Military Capabilities.
Abstract
High performance systems are costly. Those responsible for developing and acquiring new weapon systems must be just as concerned with the capability of the equipment when it is deployed as they were with the acquisition. Although some yet-to-be deployed systems designed in the mid-1970s are likely to exhibit many of the same problems occurring in the high performance weapons deployed today, recently developed systems should benefit from emphasis on reliability, availability, and maintainability, therefore presenting a brighter future. However, a reappraisal of some may be in order. As shown by recent directives, more attention should be paid in the early design of weapons to the best mix of high performance and support characteristics, considering expected force resources and operations. Defense's emphasis on lower cost weapon systems and greater reliability, although well placed, does not appear to have been sufficient. While established inventory objectives for new weapons are high, rapidly rising unit costs make it unlikely that they can be achieved without major increases in or realignment of the defense budget.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA086452
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office