U.S. Army's Procurements of Battle Effects Simulators
GAO-01-1113R: Published: Aug 29, 2001. Publicly Released: Aug 29, 2001.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
The Army uses battle effects simulators on training ranges to help prepare its soldiers for realistic combat conditions. The simulators fire pyrotechnic cartridges that simulate the sound, smoke, and flash of shells being fired from or striking targets, such as armored vehicles. Concerns have been raised about the safety of the simulators now being used by the Army and the possibility that U.S. companies may be excluded from full and open competition for new simulators. The Army's existing battle effects simulators have experienced more than 120 documented malfunctions, many of which caused serious injuries, such as third-degree burns, loss of appendages, and lacerations. The Army has tried to make the devices safer and has suspended their use many times. It is also assessing the safety and the effectiveness of a new system from a foreign source. However, it does not plan to assess a U.S. system due to funding limitations. The Army could rely on the Marine Corps' planned type classification of a U.S. produced device to certify another qualified source for future competition.
Recommendation for Executive Action
Status: Closed - Not Implemented
Comments: According to DOD and Army officials that were previously involved with battlefield effects simulator issues, the Army did not have the funding to conduct another type classification, and did not use the type classification of the Navy/Marine Corps device.
Recommendation: Since the Army may not have funds available to conduct another type classification, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Army to consider using the type classification planned to be carried out by the Navy for the Marine Corps on a U.S. produced device to provide it with another potentially safer and less expensive source for battle effects simulators and cartridges.
Agency Affected: Department of Defense
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations
»
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations
Oct 21, 2020
![defense icon, source: [West Covina, California] Progressive Management, 2008](https://www.gao.gov/images/rip/defense.jpg "defense icon, source: [West Covina, California] Progressive Management, 2008")
Missile Defense:
Observations on Ground-based Midcourse Defense Acquisition Challenges and Potential Contract Strategy ChangesGAO-21-135R: Published: Oct 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 21, 2020.
Oct 7, 2020
-
National Security:
Additional Actions Needed to Ensure Effectiveness of 5G StrategyGAO-21-155R: Published: Oct 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 7, 2020.
Oct 1, 2020
-
Army Modernization:
Army Should Improve Use of Alternative Agreements and Approaches by Enhancing Oversight and Communication of Lessons LearnedGAO-21-8: Published: Oct 1, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 1, 2020.
Sep 23, 2020
-
Nuclear Weapons:
NNSA Should Further Develop Cost, Schedule, and Risk Information for the W87-1 Warhead ProgramGAO-20-703: Published: Sep 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 23, 2020.
Aug 20, 2020
-
Navy Shipyards:
Actions Needed to Address the Main Factors Causing Maintenance Delays for Aircraft Carriers and SubmarinesGAO-20-588: Published: Aug 20, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 20, 2020.
Aug 14, 2020
-
GAO Audits Involving DOD:
Status of Efforts to Schedule and Hold Timely Entrance ConferencesGAO-20-690R: Published: Aug 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 14, 2020.
Aug 6, 2020
-
Defense Workforce:
DOD Needs to Assess Its Use of Term and Temporary AppointmentsGAO-20-532: Published: Aug 6, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 6, 2020. -
Next Generation Combat Vehicles:
As Army Prioritizes Rapid Development, More Attention Needed to Provide Insight on Cost Estimates and Systems Engineering RisksGAO-20-579: Published: Aug 6, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 6, 2020.
Jul 30, 2020
-
National Nuclear Security Administration:
Information on the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget Request and Affordability of Nuclear Modernization ActivitiesGAO-20-573R: Published: Jul 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 30, 2020.
Jul 27, 2020
-
Climate Resilience:
Actions Needed to Ensure DOD Considers Climate Risks to Contractors as Part of Acquisition, Supply, and Risk AssessmentGAO-20-511: Published: Jun 25, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 27, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on National Defense
- Countering Overseas Threats
- Department of Energy's Contract Management for the National Nuclear Security Administration and Office of Environmental Management - High Risk Issue
- DOD Approach to Business Transformation - High Risk Issue
- DOD Contract Management - High Risk Issue
- DOD Supply Chain Management - High Risk Issue
- DOD Support Infrastructure Management - High Risk Issue
- DOD Weapon Systems Acquisition - High Risk Issue
- Energy Management in DOD Facilities
- Ensuring the Effective Protection of Technologies Critical to U.S. National Security Interests - High Risk Issue
- Government-wide Personnel Security Clearance Process – High-Risk Issue
- Leading Practices in Acquisition Management
- Military Force Sizing and Organization
- Modernizing the Nuclear Security Enterprise
- NASA Acquisitions - High Risk Issue
- Nuclear Nonproliferation
- Nuclear Waste Disposal
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- U.S. Arctic Interests
- U.S. - China Economic and Military Relations
Explore our other Key Issues here
