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Navy A-12: Cost and Requirements

NSIAD-91-98 Published: Dec 31, 1990. Publicly Released: Dec 31, 1990.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Navy's projected requirements and cost estimates for the A-12 aircraft program.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should update A-12 program requirements and cost estimates and periodically provide Congress with the latest information needed to make decisions on A-12 procurement. In updating A-12 requirements and cost information, the Secretary should consider the possibility of further reductions in the number of aircraft carriers from the 14 currently in the fleet to 12 or fewer.
Closed – Not Implemented
The Secretary of Defense cancelled the program on January 7, 1991.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should consider the possibility of using fewer than 20 A-12 in each air wing, given increased A-12 capability, survivability, maintainability, and reliability, over A-6E and the transfer of a portion of the refuelling mission to S-3 or other aircraft.
Closed – Not Implemented
The Secretary of Defense cancelled the program on January 7, 1991.
Department of Defense In reporting A-12 costs, the Secretary of Defense should include all expenditures associated with the procurement and ownership of the aircraft, including: (1) total A-12 operation and support costs; and (2) the development and introduction of preplanned product improvements to the A-12 fleet.
Closed – Not Implemented
The Secretary of Defense cancelled the program on January 7, 1991.
Department of Defense In calculating and reporting A-12 costs, the Secretary of Defense should recognize the potential cost impact of: (1) losing the competitively obtained prices for A-12 aircraft; (2) delaying the procurement of the Air Force version; (3) lowering the A-12 production rate from 48 to 36 aircraft per year and possibly losing the ability to compete production; and (4) delaying the first A-12 flight and fleet introduction schedules.
Closed – Not Implemented
The Secretary of Defense cancelled the program on January 7, 1991.

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Topics

Comparative analysisCompetitive procurementCost analysisFuture budget projectionsMilitary cost controlNaval aircraftNaval procurementProduct evaluationReporting requirementsMilitary forces