Battlefield Automation:
Field Artillery Data Systems Acquisition Problems and Budget Impacts
NSIAD-87-198BR: Published: Jul 31, 1987. Publicly Released: Aug 31, 1987.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed issues associated with selected Army fire support command and control (C2) systems.
GAO noted that the Army began developing Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data Systems (AFATDS) for both light and heavy divisions because its Tactical Fire Direction System was becoming obsolete. GAO found that: (1) the AFATDS program encountered problems that will delay deployment to light divisions by 3 years and to heavy divisions by 5 years; (2) the contractor and the Army took actions to reduce the risk of further program delays; (3) the Light Field Artillery Tactical Data System (LFATDS) met design requirements in the initial operational test and evaluation and was accepted as a combat-ready system; (4) although LFATDS does not meet some recently identified critical requirements, it meets more of these requirements than the AFATDS Concept Evaluation Phase (CEP) version and could meet as many as the AFATDS version the Army expects to field in fiscal year (FY) 1992; and (5) although the Army plans to use the Fire Support Team Digital Message Device to upgrade light division fire support C2 capabilities, the system does not meet any critical effectiveness requirements. GAO also found that the Army: (1) does not plan to use $25.5 million in FY 1986 funds Congress earmarked to upgrade light division near-term fire support C2 capabilities; and (2) is complying with the funding limit on the AFATDS CEP contract. GAO noted that, due to delays in AFATDS development, Congress may wish to consider reducing the Army's FY 1988 research, development, test and evaluation and procurement appropriations request by $29.2 million and $77.7 million, respectively.
Oct 21, 2020
-
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
![defense icon, source: [West Covina, California] Progressive Management, 2008 defense icon, source: [West Covina, California] Progressive Management, 2008](https://www.gao.gov/images/rip/defense.jpg)
Explore our Key Issues on National Defense