The Army's Standoff Target Acquisition System--A Program Having Development Difficulties
C-MASAD-81-2
Published: Feb 18, 1981. Publicly Released: Feb 18, 1981.
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Highlights
The Standoff Target Acquisition System (SOTAS) is a $1.1 billion Army program to develop an airborne radar system to detect and locate moving targets at distances far beyond the forward edge of the battle area. Although an experimental SOTAS has been fielded in Europe, a better model, operating from a helicopter with an advanced radar and a jam-resistant data link, is now in development.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should require the Army to reevaluate quantity requirements for the SOTAS helicopters based on the Black Hawk's demonstrated mission reliability. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should require the Army to perform a sufficient number of integrated tests involving the helicopter, radar, and the data link to assure that SOTAS will meet its performance and reliability requirements. |
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
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Topics
Army procurementCost overrunsDefense contingency planningHelicoptersProgram managementRadar equipmentResearch and developmentTestingWeapons systemsMilitary forces