Missile Defense: THADD Restructure Addresses Problems But Limits Early Capability.
Abstract
The contract for developing the interceptor was a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, a contract type that placed all of the program's financial risk on the government and did not include provisions that could be used to hold the contractor accountable for less than optimum performance. Flight-test failures have been caused primarily by manufacturing defects rather than problems with advanced technology. These failures have prevented the Army from demonstrating that it can reliably employ the "hit-to-kill" technology critical to THAAD's success. The restructured program addresses each of the program's four underlying problems. It lengthens the flight-test schedule and increases ground testing; removes the requirement for the deployable, early prototype interceptors; increases the contractor's quality emphasis, including its commitment, leadership, and quality assurance staffing; and modifies the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide performance-based incentives and penalties and introduces a degree of competition into the program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA366212
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office