AIM-9X Acquisition: Missile Risk Reduction Underway But System Production Plans Need to be Reexamined
NSIAD-98-45
Published: Apr 28, 1998. Publicly Released: Apr 28, 1998.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the development status of the AIM-9X missile program and its concerns about the testing and production of all elements of the AIM-9X weapon system, focusing on the: (1) services' efforts to reduce missile development risk; (2) missile program's plan to transition from development to production; and (3) importance of separately managed but essential supporting systems.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force to revise the AIM-9X missile's acquisition strategy to allow for the completion of all developmental flight tests and enough operational flight tests with production-representative missiles to demonstrate that the missile can meet its minimum performance requirements before low-rate initial production begins. |
Closed – Not Implemented
DOD did not concur with this recommendation, stating that it believes adequate testing is planned prior to the low-rate production milestone for an informed decision to be made by the Defense Acquisition Executive.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force to revise the AIM-9X missile acquisition strategy to allow for enough operational testing of the missile, helmet, and associated aircraft modifications to be accomplished, using production-representative hardware and software, to demonstrate that the AIM-9X system can meet its minimum performance requirements before low-rate initial production begins. |
Closed – Not Implemented
DOD did not concur with this recommendation. DOD stated that the goal is to synchronize the three elements of the AIM-9X system. However, if one or more elements' schedules slip, DOD would proceed as planned with the other elements. Even though DOD concedes that all three elements are needed for the full capability of the AIM-9X, DOD considers the AIM-9X missile to be a significant improvement over the AIM-9M.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the services to provide a coordinated production, deployment, and funding plan for all three elements of the system. |
Closed – Not Implemented
DOD did not concur with this recommendation. Although DOD conceded that all three elements of the system are needed for full utility of the AIM-9X, it stated that service acquisition plans for the individual elements of the system have to be viewed in the larger context of affordability and requirements-generated phasing plans. Hence, DOD will not compel the services to acquire the helmet-mounted cueing system even though it is a vital part of the AIM-9X system of systems.
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Weapons systemsAir warfareCombat readinessConcurrencyDefense capabilitiesDefense cost controlDefense procurementMissilesOperational testingWeapons research and development