Strategic Weapons. Long-Term Costs are not Reported to the Congress
Abstract
During the 1980s, concerns over the threat posed by the Soviet Union led the United States to acquire modernized strategic nuclear weapon systems as its defense budget increased. Recent events indicate that perceptions of a lessened Soviet threat will lead to greater efforts in the 1990s to control the federal deficit by reducing defense spending. The Congress is considering the first defense budget of the 1990s in light of these events and is reviewing the affordability of major weapon systems. This report uses 12 strategic weapon systems to illustrate the importance and difficulty of obtaining the long-term cost estimates that the Congress needs to assess weapon system affordability. Keywords: Military budgets; Cost estimates; Strategic weapons; Defense systems; Military personnel.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA225161
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office