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Tactical Aircraft: Air Force Still Needs Business Case to Support F/A-22 Quantities and Increased Capabilities

GAO-05-304 Published: Mar 15, 2005. Publicly Released: Mar 15, 2005.
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Highlights

The Air Force is preparing a modernization plan that expands the capabilities of the F/A-22, which was first designed to serve as an air-to-air fighter aircraft with very limited ability to strike targets on the ground. The Air Force now intends to transform it by adding robust air-to-ground capabilities to attack enemy ground threats and by adding onboard intelligence data gathering capabilities. After the recent budget cut, DOD estimates F/A-22 cost at $63.8 billion for 178 aircraft. It has been in development for more than 19 years, a decade longer than originally envisioned. In the face of significant cost and schedule overruns, Congress mandates that GAO annually assess the F/A-22 program. In this report, GAO addresses (1) the Air Force's business case for the F/A-22 modernization plan and (2) the recently completed initial operational test and evaluation.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense Because of evolving threats against the United States; pending changes in U.S. defense plans; the lack of clarity regarding F/A-22 required capabilities, quantities, and resources; the recent budget decision; and upcoming reviews on joint air capabilities, the Secretary of Defense should complete a new business case that determines the continued need for the F/A-22 and that justifies the F/A-22's expanded air-to-ground capabilities based on an assessment of alternatives to include both operational assets and planned future weapon systems.
Closed – Implemented
In April 2009, the Secretary of Defense stated that based on recommendations from the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force, 187 F-22s are sufficient to meet current requirements. However, Congress continues to debate the number of F-22s that will be procured.
Department of Defense Because of evolving threats against the United States; pending changes in U.S. defense plans; the lack of clarity regarding F/A-22 required capabilities, quantities, and resources; the recent budget decision; and upcoming reviews on joint air capabilities, the Secretary of Defense should complete a new business case that determines the continued need for the F/A-22 and that justifies the quantity of F/A-22 aircraft needed to satisfy requirements for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
Closed – Implemented
In April 2009, the Secretary of Defense stated that based on recommendations from the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force, 187 F-22s are sufficient to meet current requirements. However, Congress continues to debate the number of F-22s that will be procured.
Department of Defense Because of evolving threats against the United States; pending changes in U.S. defense plans; the lack of clarity regarding F/A-22 required capabilities, quantities, and resources; the recent budget decision; and upcoming reviews on joint air capabilities, the Secretary of Defense should complete a new business case that determines the continued need for the F/A-22 and that provides evidence that the planned quantity and capabilities are affordable within current and projected budgets and the statutory funding limitation.
Closed – Implemented
In April 2009, the Secretary of Defense stated that based on recommendations from the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force, 187 F-22s are sufficient to meet current requirements. However, Congress continues to debate the number of F-22s that will be procured.
Department of Defense Because of evolving threats against the United States; pending changes in U.S. defense plans; the lack of clarity regarding F/A-22 required capabilities, quantities, and resources; the recent budget decision; and upcoming reviews on joint air capabilities, the Secretary of Defense should complete a new business case that determines the continued need for the F/A-22 and that addresses impacts of the recent budget decision on the need for and cost of future developmental activities, long-term logistical support and basing decisions, and the ability to take advantage of cost reduction efforts, such as multiyear contracting and productivity improvement.
Closed – Implemented
In April 2009, the Secretary of Defense stated that based on recommendations from the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force, 187 F-22s are sufficient to meet current requirements. However, Congress continues to debate the number of F-22s that will be procured.
Department of Defense Because of evolving threats against the United States; pending changes in U.S. defense plans; the lack of clarity regarding F/A-22 required capabilities, quantities, and resources; the recent budget decision; and upcoming reviews on joint air capabilities, the Secretary of Defense should complete a new business case that determines the continued need for the F/A-22 and that justifies the need for investments for a new computer architecture and avionics processor, and F/A-22 infrastructure deficiencies.
Closed – Implemented
In April 2009, the Secretary of Defense stated that based on recommendations from the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force, 187 F-22s are sufficient to meet current requirements. However, Congress continues to debate the number of F-22s that will be procured.

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Topics

Cost analysisCost overrunsMilitary aircraftOperational testingPerformance measuresProgram evaluationSchedule slippagesFighter aircraftU.S. Air ForceAircraft acquisition program