Naval Air Systems Command Needs to Improve Management of Waiver Requests (REDACTED)
Abstract
Our objective was to evaluate the Department of the Navy s overall management of waivers and deferrals from operational test requirements for Navy Systems. We evaluated the processes to justify, review, and approve requests for waiver of criteria to certify readiness for operational testing and deferral of operational testing requirements at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). This report is the first in a series of reports that will evaluate the Navy s management of waivers and deferrals for weapons systems. NAVAIR program managers did not fully implement Navy policy to request waivers and to certify program readiness for initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) on the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, Distributed Targeting System, and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft programs. Specifically, program managers did not: request waivers for two programs that had not met all IOT&E certification criteria, and clearly document what was done to meet each certification criteria for a third program. These conditions occurred because Navy policy did not clearly and concisely state program managers must request a waiver whenever a program did not meet all criteria required to begin IOT&E. Because program managers did not request waivers, the program executive officer could not effectively consider program readiness for entering the IOT&E test phase. As a result, two NAVAIR programs entered and completed IOT&E with unresolved deficiencies affecting threat detection, maneuverability, information exchange, and reliability. These deficiencies diminished the systems abilities to perform their missions. Weapon system sponsors within the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) did not designate characteristics most critical to providing an effective military capability as primary requirements when writing aircraft requirements documents.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2015
- Accession Number
- ADA621515
Entities
Organizations
- Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Defense