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Defense Plans To Deploy Some Cruise Missiles Before They Are Ready

C-MASAD-82-15 Published: Feb 26, 1982. Publicly Released: Feb 26, 1982.
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Highlights

GAO evaluated the Tomahawk cruise missile program. These missiles, designed to deliver nuclear or conventional warheads, can be launched from the air, sea, or ground. Five variants of the missile are being acquired for use against various land and sea targets.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Navy to limit fiscal year 1983 and later year production rates of the Tomahawk conventional land attack missile to those which can be effectively used against a wide spectrum of high value targets.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Navy to establish a total inventory objective for the Tomahawk missile which is based upon its limitations and potential additions to its target base. Any changes which result, in terms of numbers needed and its affect on program cost, should be included in the Selected Acquisition Reporting system.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should reevaluate the Navy's need for the medium range air-to-surface missile. If the need for the missile is reaffirmed, the Secretary should ensure that adequate funding is provided by the Navy to meet the missile's projected deployment date or revise the scheduled deployment date as appropriate. The Secretary should also require that the medium range air-to-surface missile be included in the Selected Acquisition Reporting system.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

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Topics

National Defense
Contract costsDefense procurementLogisticsMilitary inventoriesMissilesNuclear weaponsProgram evaluationTestingWeapons systemsMilitary forces