Issues Affecting the Navy's Antiship Cruise Missile Programs

Highlights

The Navy, to meet existing and projected threats from enemy surface ships armed with long-range missiles, has three antiship cruise missiles in various stages of development. These missiles are designed to provide the Navy with a standoff capability against enemy ships. The missiles under development are the Harpoon, the Tomahawk Antiship Missile (TASM), and the Medium Range Air-to-Surface Missile.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of Defense	The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to establish test criteria for evaluating the OTH-DC&T capability and conduct an assessment of its available capability, simulating a more realistic environment using the most likely scenarios in which antiship cruise missiles will be needed.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Defense	The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to determine whether Harpoon and TASM can be effective against the threat with the reduced procurement quantities, particularly in view of salvo firing tactics being developed.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Defense	The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to require that logistic support be given greater emphasis so that Harpoon readiness will be improved.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Defense	The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to specifically define the TASM mission and the Soviet threat and consider TASM utility in light of the large decreases in approved quantities, possible salvo firing requirements, and lowered operational requirements.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.

Full Report

Full Report (4 pages)

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National Defense

LogisticsMissilesNaval warfareTest facilitiesWeapons systemsMilitary forcesNavy shipsShipsCruise missilesGovernment procurement