Defense Acquisitions: Challenges Remain in Developing Capabilities for Naval Surface Fire Support
Abstract
Since the mid-1990s, the Navy and Marine Corps have studied ways to better protect landing forces. As new operational concepts evolved, the Marine Corps identified requirements for naval surface fire support and the Navy began developing two systems to meet these needs -- the Extended Range Munition for existing classes of ships and the future Zumwalt class guided missile destroyer. GAO was asked to address the following: (1) whether requirements for fire support have been established; and (2) the Navy's progress on the Extended Range Munition, Zumwalt class destroyer, and follow-on systems. GAO also analyzed whether these Navy systems fulfill the requirements and whether gaps remain. To address these objectives, GAO analyzed key documents on requirements and programs and held discussions with officials from the Navy and Marine Corps as well as other interested organizations. GAO recommends that the Department of Defense clarify requirements for volume of fire, clarify Navy and Marine Corps roles in managing resources, comprehensively review the Extended Range Munition program, and assign responsibility for assessing the gap in command and control. DoD concurred with the first and third recommendations, and partially concurred with the others.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA458994
Entities
People
- Christopher R. Durbin
- J. K. Keener
- Karen Zuckerstein
- Lily Chin
- Paul L. Francis
- Ryan Consaul
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office