Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Short-Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) program to determine whether: (1) it represents a valid joint-service effort that will minimize duplication among UAV programs; and (2) test results justify the imminent commitment to system production.

GAO found that: (1) the UAV Joint Project Office plans to exercise two system production options before operational testing; (2) limited user testing did not address critical performance issues; (3) limited user testing was not performed in a realistic environment; and (4) operational test agencies that conducted the test could not fully evaluate most of the test results.

Status Legend:

Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.

Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.

• Review Pending
• Open
• Closed - implemented
• Closed - not implemented

Recommendation for Executive Action

Recommendation: The Secretary of Defense should require that limited production be deferred until realistic operational testing provides reasonable assurance that the system will perform satisfactorily.

Agency Affected: Department of Defense

Status: Closed - Not Implemented

Comments: DOD disagreed with the recommendation and authorized limited production without the recommended testing. GAO is conducting a followup review of test results to determine whether production should be minimized pending completion of testing.