Defense Management: Actions Needed to Improve Operational Planning and Visibility of Costs for Ballistic Missile Defense
Abstract
The Department of Defense (DOD) has spent about $91 billion since the mid-1980s to develop a capability to destroy incoming ballistic missiles. In 2002, recognizing the new security environment after the September 11 attacks, President Bush directed that an initial set of defensive ballistic missile capabilities be put in place in 2004. Although DOD is developing the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) to meet an urgent need, preparing to operate and support a system under continuous development poses significant challenges. GAO was asked to assess the extent to which (1) DOD has made progress in planning to operate the BMDS, and (2) the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP) provides complete and transparent data on BMDS operational costs. GAO is recommending that DOD develop operational criteria that must be met and a comprehensive plan specifying actions that must be taken before declaring BMDS operational, and provide Congress and DOD complete data on BMDS operational costs. Although DOD concurred or partially concurred with our recommendations, DOD did not state that they planned to take corrective actions. Therefore, GAO added a Matter for Congressional Consideration because GAO continues to believe its recommended actions are needed to prepare for BMDS operations and assist oversight.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA449053
Entities
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office