Defense Acquisitions: Timely and Accurate Estimates of Costs and Requirements Are Needed to Define Optimal Future Strategic Airlift Mix
Abstract
The Department of Defense's (DoD) C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft play key roles in transporting weapons and other cargo. Since September 2001, these aircraft have delivered over 2.4 million tons of cargo to staging and operating bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet determining the number and mix to meet current and future airlift requirements has become increasingly challenging given distinct differences between the two aircraft. While the C-5 can carry more cargo, the newer C-17 is more flexible since it can deliver to forward-deployed bases and has a higher mission capable rate. GAO was asked to identify the impact that C-5 modernization cost increases have had on the mix of aircraft; assess the current C-5 modernization cost estimate; and identify C-17 production plans and issues related to production line shutdown. To conduct its work, GAO reviewed options DoD considered to meet its current and future strategic airlift requirements, and evaluated C-5 modernization and C-17 production line shutdown cost estimates. GAO is making recommendations to help DoD identify the appropriate strategic airlift mix and improve cost estimates for the C-5 program and C-17 production shutdown. DoD concurred with one recommendation and partially concurred with another, but believes updated C-5 cost estimates are not warranted. GAO believes this recommendation is still valid.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA489969
Entities
People
- Bruce Fairbairn
- Cheryl Andrew
- John Crawford
- Karen Richey
- Karen Sloan
- Marie Ahearn
- Marvin Bonner
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office