Navy Should Join the Air Force and Army Program to Develop an Advanced Integrated Avionics System.
Abstract
Most military aircraft have numerous individual communications, navigation, and identification (CNI) equipments that, when aggregated, are becoming size, weight, and cost prohibitive. To solve these problems, the Air Force and Army are jointly developing a technology-called Integrated Communication, Navigation, Identification Avionics (ICNIA)--to integrate these functions into one system. The Navy recognizes the need for such technology to meet future aircraft avionic needs, but it has not joined the ICNIA program. This is an opportune time for Navy participation. Although the Navy's next-generation Advanced Tactical Aircraft conceptual studies are not complete, the aircraft will use integrated CNI. However, if the Navy does not join the ICNIA program soon, the opportunity for a triservice program offering significant potential cost savings through avionics standardization will slip away. GAO believes near-term Navy participation would involve minimum funding compared to the cost of altering the program after the design is fixed, or the cost of a separate Navy development program. The Defense Science Board and our Office reports show that the earlier all participants become involved, the more likely a joint program will succeed. Navy participation in the ICNIA program now could help develop a standard integrated CNI system and enhance the possibility of a successful triservice program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 17, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA155835
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office