Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs
Abstract
Why GAO Did This Study. This is GAO s annual assessment of DOD weapon system acquisitions, an area on GAO s high-risk list. DOD and Congress have taken meaningful steps to improve the acquisition of major weapon systems, yet programs continue to experience cost and schedule overruns. Further, GAO has emphasized the need to sustain the implementation of acquisition reforms and complete developmental testing before beginning production. With the continuing budgetary pressures, DOD cannot afford to miss opportunities to address inefficiencies in these programs to free up resources for higher priority needs. This report responds to a mandate in the joint explanatory statement to the DOD Appropriations Act, 2009. It includes observations on (1) the cost and schedule performance of DOD s 2014 portfolio of 78 major defense acquisition programs; (2) the knowledge attained at key junctures in the acquisition process for 38 programs that were in development or early production; and (3) key acquisition reform initiatives and program concurrency. To develop the observations in this report, GAO analyzed cost, schedule, and quantity data from DOD s December 2013 Selected Acquisition Reports. GAO also collected data through two questionnaires to program offices on technology, design, and manufacturing knowledge; the use of knowledgebased acquisition practices; and the implementation of acquisition reforms and initiatives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA615290
Entities
People
- Charlie Shivers
- Cheryl Andrew
- Danny Owens
- Desiree E. Cunningham
- Edwin B. Booth
- J. K. Keenerv
- John W. Crawford
- Matthew T. Drerup
- Michael Sullivan
- Wendy Smythe
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office