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DOD Should Resolve Certain Issues Concerning the C-X Aircraft

PSAD-81-8 Published: Oct 10, 1980. Publicly Released: Oct 10, 1980.
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Highlights

The Air Force formed a taskforce with Army and Marine Corps participation to define future airlift requirements for the worldwide deployment of U.S. forces. The taskforce analysis revealed significant shortfalls in the capability of the United States to provide long-range intertheater airlift to meet worldwide rapid mobility requirements. It recognized that the United States does not currently have the capability to airlift large outsize cargo within a theater. It recommended the acquisition of an airlift aircraft with adequate size and range to carry outsize cargo intertheater and also with the capability to land at small austere airfields. To meet these requirements, the Air Force proposed the C-X aircraft. Full-scale production of the C-X could begin about October 1986. The Air Force estimates that a procurement of 200 C-X aircraft could cost about $10 billion to $11 billion (fiscal year 1980 dollars) for development and production. The Air Force is planning to issue requests for proposals to potential contractors for the full-scale engineering development of the aircraft in October 1980. GAO reviewed the C-X aircraft program, addressing major issues concerning the aircraft's range and its load capability.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Air Force to delay issuing C-X requests for proposals or proceeding further with the C-X program until the Air Force resolves the aircraft's range and load limitations and until the mobility requirements study is completed and a mission element need statement is approved.
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