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Ballistic Missile Defense: Improvements Needed in THAAD Acquisition Planning

NSIAD-97-188 Published: Sep 12, 1997. Publicly Released: Sep 12, 1997.
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Highlights

GAO reviewed the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) program to determine whether: (1) planned testing would demonstrate operational effectiveness before a significant number of units are produced for deployment; and (2) missile target resources are adequate to support testing plans.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) to delay low-rate initial production of the THAAD system until after the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, has certified, based on sufficient independent testing in an operational environment, that the system can meet its key performance requirements.
Closed – Not Implemented
DOD did not concur with GAO's recommendation that low-rate initial production of the THAAD system be delayed until after the system can be certified as meeting its key performance requirements.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should include in DOD's fiscal year 1999 budget submission, the estimated funds needed to implement a treaty compliant, longer range missile target program consistent with THAAD's revised test schedule.
Closed – Implemented
Since publication of the GAO report, DOD has concurred in GAO's recommendation to include funding in DOD's fiscal year 1999 budget submission for a longer range missile target consistent with THAAD's revised test schedule.

Full Report

Full Report (19 pages)

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Topics

National Defense
Ballistic missile defenseConcurrencyDefense capabilitiesProduct evaluationTestingWeapons systemsOperational testingU.S. ArmyOperational effectivenessMissiles