The F-16 Program: Progress, Concerns, and Uncertainties

Highlights

The F-16 was conceived as the low element in a high/low concept of mixing high performance, costly aircraft with greater numbers of simpler, less expensive aircraft. It eventually evolved into a multimission aircraft to replace the F-4 aircraft. It is being developed as a cooperative undertaking with four North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries. Other countries have bought or are considering buying the F-16. The program cost estimate is about $18.7 billion.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of Defense	The Secretary of Defense should provide justification to the Congress for the total number of F-16s and the number of differently configured F-16s that would be required if the improvements are incorporated as now planned.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Defense	The Secretary of Defense should inform the Congress as to the current and expected effect on the U.S. F-16 program of the foreign military sales to Israel and Egypt.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Defense	The Secretary of Defense should direct that mission element need statements be drafted, based on mission analyses at broad mission levels (including the Air Force and the Army contributions), to establish a Defense-wide position on the mission deficiencies being addressed by the planned improvements for the F-16 and other aircraft.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Defense	The Secretary of Defense should review the above mission element need statements and either (1) formally identify the improvements as the accepted approaches to satisfy the mission deficiencies or (2) direct that other possible solutions be solicited and given adequate consideration in accordance with OMB Circular A-109.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Defense	The Secretary of Defense should provide to Congress in the Air Force's budget hearings an assessment of the cost, risk, and impact on F-16 logistics support that the F-16 improvements will have if incorporated.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.

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National Defense

Contract costsMilitary aircraftProduct evaluationProgram managementWeapons systemsAircraftMilitary forcesCost estimatesWeaponsInternational organizations