Defense Acquisitions:
Assessments Needed to Address V-22 Aircraft Operational and Cost Concerns to Define Future Investments
GAO-09-482, May 11, 2009
Additional Materials:
- Highlights Page:
- Accessible Text:
Contact:
(202) 512-3000
contact@gao.gov
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov
Since the 1980s, the V-22, developed to transport combat troops, supplies, and equipment for the U.S. Marine Corps and to support other services' operations, has experienced several fatal crashes, demonstrated various deficiencies, and faced virtual cancellation--much of which it has overcome. Although until recently deployed in Iraq and regarded favorably, it has not performed the full range of missions anticipated, and how well it can do so is in question. In view of concerns about the V-22 program, you asked us to determine if the V-22 will perform as promised, and if it will, at what cost. GAO reviewed (1) current MV-22 operations in Iraq; (2) strengths and deficiencies in terms of the capabilities expected of the V-22; and (3) past, current, and future costs. GAO reviewed a range of program documents and data, interviewed program officials, operators and others; and observed MV-22 operations in Iraq and shipboard.
As of January 2009, the 12 MV-22s (Marine Corps variant of the V-22) in Iraq successfully completed all missions assigned in a low threat theater of operations--using their enhanced speed and range to engage in general support missions and deliver personnel and internal cargo faster and farther than the legacy helicopters being replaced. Noted challenges to operational effectiveness raise questions about whether the MV-22 is best suited to accomplish the full repertoire of missions of the helicopters it is intended to replace. Additionally, suitability challenges, such as unreliable component parts and supply chain weaknesses, led to low aircraft availability rates. MV-22 operational tests and training exercises identified challenges with the system's ability to operate in other environments. Maneuvering limits and challenges in detecting threats may affect air crew ability to execute correct evasive actions. The aircraft's large size and inventory of repair parts created obstacles to shipboard operations. Identified challenges could limit the ability to conduct worldwide operations in some environments and at high altitudes similar to what might be expected in Afghanistan. Efforts are underway to address these deficiencies, but some are inherent in the V-22's design. V-22 costs have risen sharply above initial projections--1986 estimates (stated in fiscal year 2009 dollars) that the program would build nearly 1000 aircraft in 10 years at $37.7 million each have shifted to fewer than 500 aircraft at $93.4 million each--a procurement unit cost increase of 148 percent. Research, development, testing, and evaluation costs increased over 200 percent. To complete the procurement, the program plans to request approximately $25 billion (in then-year dollars) for aircraft procurement. As for operations and support costs (O&S), the Marine Corps' V-22's cost per flight hour today is over $11,000--more than double the targeted estimate.
Status Legend:
- Review Pending
- Open
- Closed - implemented
- Closed - not implemented
Recommendations for Executive Action
Recommendation: Given the difference between the now demonstrated and previously expected operational capabilities and costs of the V-22, the Secretary of Defense should re-examine the V-22 by requiring a new alternatives analysis to redefine and revalidate the proper mix of aircraft to achieve the Marine Corps' current and future medium-lift needs, possibly to include other services' operational uses. Such an analysis should weigh V-22 capabilities and costs against the capabilities and costs of other existing helicopters and aircraft, upgrades to existing helicopters and aircraft, and potential future acquisitions, such as the upgrade to the CH-53 currently under development. This analysis should be conducted within the context of anticipated future budgetary constraints, and the services should then adjust total V-22 procurement and annual production and acquisition plans accordingly.
Agency Affected: Department of Defense
Status: Open
Comments: DOD non-concurred with this recommendation to re-examine their planned investment in the V-22 in light of the difference between the demonstrated and expected operational capabilities and costs of the aircraft. Following this report we continued to monitor the V-22 program, reporting our findings in our annual report on acquisition of selected weapon programs. The 2010 annual report discussed deficiencies in the V-22 and root cause analysis efforts conducted to address these deficiencies. In particular, we identified the engine air particle separator (EAPS), which was not keeping debris out of engines causing hydraulic leaks and shorten engine life as a challenge given that previous design changes had not fully corrected the problem. In 2011, we reported on a March 2009 CV-22 (Air Force Special Ops variant) engine fire that was the result of a broken part from the engine ice protection system. This part had a history of structural issues related to its design. We also reported on the finding of the investigation into a April 2010 CV-22 crash in Afghanistan. The Air Force investigation of this crash cited several substantial contributing factors for this crash including the possibility of engine problems. In his annual FY2011 report the OSD Director Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) reported that the MV-22 continues to have an availability challenge with a mission capable rate of 53 percent (June 2007 to May 2010), which is below the required rate of 82 percent. DOT&E recommended that the Navy should continue development and testing to improve overall MV-22 reliability and availability with particular emphasis on the ice protection system, engine air particulate system, nacelle, and drive-train subsystems. Despite these reported problems, DOD in its FY2013 budget submission requested that a second multi-year procurement (MYP) for the V-22 for the period FY 2013 to FY 2017 be approved by the congress. While not reducing the planned total quantify, DOD did decide to reduce the number of aircraft in this MYP request by 19 aircraft from the original acquisition plan. This request has been approved by the House and Senate authorization committees. However, since DOD's FY2013 budget was submitted two more crashes of the V-22 have occurred. An MV-22 crashed during military exercises in Morocco in April 2012, and in June 2012 a CV-22 crashed during training exercise in Florida. Both crashes are under investigation.
Recommendation: Given the unresolved operational effectiveness and suitability issues and increasing costs associated with the V-22 system, the Secretary of Defense should require the Marine Corps to develop a prioritized strategy to improve system suitability (including identifying why measures such as component reliability and aircraft availability are low), reduce operational costs, and align future budget requests accordingly.
Agency Affected: Department of Defense
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: DOD concurred with this recommendation, commenting that neither it nor the Marine Corps were satisfied with the current reliability of the aircraft. In a 2010 Guidebook on the V-22, the Marine Corps stated that while V-22 wartime operational performance has been exceptional, readiness and operating costs were two issues facing the V-22 program. It stated that a government-industry team had a coordinated strategy to solve these issues and that they were executing this strategy, having improved many aspects of maintainability, component reliability, and overall affordability. It noted that with the commitment of funds in January 2010, they were accelerating the incorporation of related improvements into the V-22 aircraft. Additionally, in June 2011 the V-22 Program Manager reported in an "Inside Defense" article that the program had concluded a comprehensive review of the V-22 parts and had identified a number of parts that were intended to be consumable parts could actually be cost-effectively repaired. He stated that as a result they had been able to slash 18 percent off the operations and maintenance costs of the V-22. He also stated that the cost reduction has also gone hand-in-hand with improvements in the readiness of the aircraft. The V-22 program office confirmed that the progress cited in the "Inside Defense" article is a result of actions they and the Department have taken in line with our recommendation.