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Future Procurements of Army's Copperhead Projectile Should Be Contingent on Improvements in Performance and Reliability

C-PSAD-81-4 Published: Nov 13, 1980. Publicly Released: Nov 13, 1980.
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Highlights

Copperhead, a laser-guided, antiarmor projectile entered limited production this year. The Army plans to procure over 44,000 rounds by 1986 at an estimated average cost of over $22,000 per round. GAO reviewed Copperhead's: (1) visibility; (2) response time; (3) development improvements; and (4) reliability.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should reassess the need for procuring the total Copperhead quantity currently programed if such responsiveness and reliability are not demontrated.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should continue limited production of Copperhead until it has demonstrated an ability to achieve a response time that would improve its performance against moving targets and has attained the required level of reliability.
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.

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Topics

Electronic data processingArmy procurementCombat readinessData transmissionDefense contingency planningMissilesWeapons systemsMilitary forcesGovernment procurementSystems acquisition