Apache Longbow Helicopter: Fire Control Radar Not Ready for Multiyear Procurement
NSIAD-98-11
Published: Nov 17, 1997. Publicly Released: Nov 17, 1997.
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Highlights
GAO reviewed the Army's plans to award a multiyear contract for the Apache Longbow Helicopter's fire control radar in December 1997, focusing on determining whether the fire control radar design is stable and ready for multiyear contract award.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | Because the redesigned transmitter will be used in approximately 85 percent of the Apache Longbow's fire control radars, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to delay the award of the multiyear contract until the radar has successfully passed first-article and qualification tests with the redesigned transmitter. |
Closed – Implemented
The Army alleged that changes to the Fire Control Radar's (FCR) transmitter were relatively minor and did not warrant delaying the FCR multi-year contract award. As a result, a multi-year contract for the FCR was awarded in January 1998. Subsequently, GAO learned that partially because of GAO's findings and recommendations, the Army shelved the redesigned version of the transmitter and went back to using the original transmitter in the FCR.
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Topics
Weapons systemsAir warfareArmy procurementConcurrencyHelicoptersMultiyear contractsRadar equipmentTestingU.S. ArmyDevelopmental testing