DoD Needs to Provide More Credible Weapon Systems Cost Estimates to the Congress

Abstract

DOD's cost estimates for weapon systems programs are of major concern when the Congress is deciding to allocate billions of dollars to defense programs. GAO found DOD cost estimating guidance needs improvement and stricter implementation to ensure that cost estimates are uniform, consistently developed, and well documented. GAO also found that using more reasonable assumptions and independent cost estimates would result in more accurate reporting to the Congress. This report contains numerous recommendations for improving DOD cost estimating and reporting. In addition, GAO believes that the Congress may want to consider requiring DOD to certify that estimates on major systems are based on sound cost estimating guidelines and represent the full cost of the weapon systems program.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 24, 1984
Accession Number
ADA141544

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Anti-Tank Missiles
  • Business Administration
  • Congress
  • Cost Analysis
  • Economic Analysis
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Governments
  • Management Personnel
  • Naval Operations
  • Organizational Structure
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Government Contracting/Procurement.
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis