Need to Demonstrate F-18 Naval Strike Fighter Weapon System Effectiveness before Large-Scale Production.
Abstract
The high cost and waste of concurrent development and production have been demonstrated many times in the past. The risks associated with concurrency appear to increase when time does not permit complete and adequate testing. Major programs appear to develop a momentum of their own, where definable costs of delaying a program to complete testing override potential, but usually real and very large costs which result from inadequate or incomplete testing before going into production. In view of the time limitations on testing the F-18 weapon system before major decisions, the potential for delays in performing planned tests, and the lack of time for testing corrections to problems identified during testing, we believe the extent of concurrency may be even greater than what appears now. F-18 aircraft performance degradation has been estimated to have occurred, and this adversely affects the ability of the system to perform its mission. Also, problems with the ordnance systems to be used on the F-18 will have a further degrading effect on its ability to perform its mission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 27, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA088126
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office