ATTACK WARNING: Costs to Modernize NORAD's Computer System Significantly Understated

Abstract

At Rep. Murtha's request, the General Accounting Office(GAO) evaluated Department of Defense efforts to upgrade computerized subsystems within the North American Aerospace Defense Command's (NORAD) Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment (ITW/AA) system. These subsystems provide critical strategic surveillance and attack warning and assessment information to United States and Canadian leaders. Defense efforts to upgrade these subsystems-designated the Cheyenne Mountain Upgrade (CMU) program- will form the nucleus of the ITW/AA system in the future. The Air Force is responsible for operating and maintaining this system. As agreed with the Representative's office, this report discusses (1) recent organizational changes for managing the CMU program and (2) whether the Air Force's $ 1.58 billion cost estimate is realistic to develop and deliver a mission-ready system at Cheyenne Mountain. Appendix I describes our objectives, scope, and methodology in more detail.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA344813

Entities

People

  • F. R. Cross
  • L. G. Bartoli
  • M. L. Gorin
  • S. J. Licari

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Command Centers
  • Cost Estimates
  • Data Processing
  • Department Of Defense
  • Detectors
  • Display Systems
  • Engineering
  • Governments
  • Military Acquisition
  • Program Management
  • Systems Engineering
  • Tactical Warning
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Facilities
  • United States
  • Warning Systems

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites