Airborne Electronic Attack: Achieving Mission Objectives Depends on Overcoming Acquisition Challenges
Abstract
Airborne electronic attack involves the use of aircraft to neutralize, destroy, or suppress enemy air defense and communications systems. Proliferation of sophisticated air defenses and advanced commercial electronic devices has contributed to the accelerated appearance of new weapons designed to counter U.S. airborne electronic attack capabilities. GAO was asked to assess the following: (1) the Department of Defense's (DoD) strategy for acquiring airborne electronic attack capabilities, (2) progress made in developing and fielding systems to meet airborne electronic attack mission requirements, and (3) additional actions taken to address capability gaps. To do this, GAO analyzed documents related to mission requirements, acquisition and budget needs, development plans, and performance, and interviewed DoD officials. GAO recommends that DoD conduct program reviews for certain new, key systems to assess cost, schedule, and performance; determine the extent to which the most pressing capability gaps can be met and take steps to fill them; align service investments in science and technology with the department-wide electronic warfare priority; and review capabilities provided by certain planned and existing systems to ensure that investments do not overlap. DoD agreed with three recommendations and partially agreed with the two aimed at reducing potential overlap among systems. DoD plans to assess coordination among systems, whereas GAO sees opportunities for consolidation, as discussed in the report.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA558984
Entities
People
- Brian H Smith
- Bruce Fairbairn
- Christopher R. Durbin
- James Kim
- Laura Greifner
- Michael J. Sullivan
- Roxanna Sun
- Scott Purdy
- Sylvia Schatz
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office