Missile Procurement: Further Production of AMRAAM Should Not Be Approved Until Questions Are Resolved
NSIAD-90-146
Published: May 04, 1990. Publicly Released: May 11, 1990.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the status of the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) program at the scheduled full-rate production milestone, focusing on the: (1) missile's demonstrated operational performance; (2) contractors' readiness to produce quality missiles at the required rates; and (3) latest program cost estimates.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress should deny the $1.34 billion requested for AMRAAM procurement in fiscal year (FY) 1991 because the missile's performance, reliability, producibility, and affordability remain questionable. | In the FY 1991 Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriation Act, Congress reduced the budget request for AMRAAM by $500 million. An accomplishment report has been prepared and referenced, and is pending final approval. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should not approve any additional AMRAAM production until: (1) tests demonstrate that AMRAAM can meet all of its critical performance requirements and that its reliability meets the established requirements; (2) both contractors demonstrate that they can consistently produce quality missiles at the rates required by their contracts; (3) the Air Force and Navy complete their reviews of missile quantity requirements; and (4) the Department of Defense determines that the AMRAAM program is affordable within realistic future budget projections and consults with Congress to ensure that the program complies with the adjusted statutory cost cap. |
In its August 2, 1990 response, DOD partially concurred with the recommendation, stating that it would not approve full-rate production of AMRAAM until certain conditions are met. However, DOD stated that part of the recommendation may not be in the best interest of the government.
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Topics
Weapons systemsAir defense systemsContract performanceCost overrunsDefense appropriationsDefense procurementFighter aircraftMilitary cost controlMissilesProduct evaluation