Aquila Remotely Piloted Vehicle: Recent Developments and Alternatives
NSIAD-86-41BR
Published: Jan 04, 1986. Publicly Released: Feb 13, 1986.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Aquila Remotely Piloted Vehicle Program focusing on its technical problems, their effect on the program's cost, schedule, and management, and the Army's consideration of alternatives to the program.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should ensure that, in the event that the Aquila Program is terminated, an ensuing study of alternatives to satisfy the remotely piloted vehicle's basic mission takes into account not only the total life-cycle costs of candidate systems, but also any changes in performance requirements derived from the revised employment system. |
Closed – Not Implemented
On October 26, 1987, GAO issued a report on the Aquila Program, NSIAD-88-19. This report discusses the performance requirements, as dictated by the new employment concept. The employment concept was officially approved for the Aquila, and will be reflected in future assessments of alternate systems.
|
| Department of the Army | The Secretary of the Army should ensure that evaluation of candidate systems for future missions, which are now being explored, include total life-cycle costs and advantages of candidate systems, such as greater payload capacity and more endurance. |
Closed – Implemented
The Army established an Unmanned Air Vehicle Office to arrange future air vehicles and missions. This office has already begun to assess future requirements and will operate indefinitely.
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Army procurementContract administrationContract costsFunds managementMissilesProduct evaluationProgram evaluationTestingMilitary forcesSchedule slippages