Strategic Bombers: B-1B Cost and Performance Remain Uncertain
Abstract
Early in 1987 The General Accounting Office testified on the B-1B bomber program before the House and Senate Committees on Armed Services. It identified B-1B development deficiencies during the testimonies, and the Chairmen requested that GAO continue to monitor the program. This report updates and assesses the progress of the B-1B program since 1987 and presents other related issues. On October 2, 1981, the President announced his decision to develop and deploy 100 B-1Bs. In selecting the B-1B, DOD believed that the technology, cost, and schedule risks would be low because of the experience gained from the canceled B-1A program. On January 18, 1982, the President certified to the Congress that the B-1B would have an initial operational capability during 1986 and that the development and acquisition baseline cost of B-1B fleet would not exceed $20.5 billion ($27.8 billion escalated dollars). However, to field the B-1B in just 5 years, the program would feature highly concurrent full-scale development, production, and testing schedules.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 03, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA206751
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office