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Defense Acquisitions: Changes in E-10A Acquisition Strategy Needed before Development Starts

GAO-05-273 Published: Mar 15, 2005. Publicly Released: Mar 15, 2005.
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Highlights

The Air Force is on the verge of making a major commitment to the multi-billion dollar E-10A Multi-sensor Command and Control Aircraft program. Due to the substantial investment needed and technological challenges in developing the aircraft, the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces asked GAO to examine the soundness of the E-10A business case as well as the risks associated with the current acquisition strategy.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense Because gaps exist in the information needed to make a sound business case to start a major acquisition program, the Secretary of Defense should ensure that the open business case questions are answered before a decision is made to start the E-10A program.
Closed – Implemented
The Air Force delayed Milestone B on E-10A to 2011 and implemented GAO's knowledge-based strategy recommendations.
Department of Defense To ensure a greater likelihood of success, if the E-10A program is approved to begin, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Air Force to revise the acquisition strategy to ensure sufficient time is included in the schedule to (1) integrate and demonstrate the design before moving past the critical design review and (2) test a production representative E-10A prototype before starting production.
Closed – Implemented
The Air Force delayed Milestone B on E-10A to 2011 and implemented GAO's knowledge-based strategy recommendations.

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Topics

Financial analysisMilitary aircraftMilitary research and developmentPerformance measuresProgram managementWeapons research and developmentAir Force procurementProcurement planningOperational testingProgram goals or objectivesProgram implementation