Weapons Production:
Impacts of Production Rate Changes on Aircraft Unit Costs
NSIAD-91-12: Published: Dec 18, 1990. Publicly Released: Jan 16, 1991.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the sensitivity of estimated procurement costs for military aircraft to reductions in the quantity of aircraft purchased.
GAO found that: (1) aircraft procurement unit costs generally increased as their procurement rates decreased, but some mature Air Force and Navy procurement programs did not show a significant unit cost increase compared to other aircraft programs; (2) contractors reported that the procurement unit cost was especially sensitive to sudden unanticipated changes in production rates; (3) unit costs were less sensitive when the military planned rate reductions and reduced such fixed costs as overhead and facilities; and (4) contractors needed sufficient advance notice of procurement rate decreases, so that they could eliminate unnecessary facility, overhead, and other costs before the production rate decreases began.
Jun 12, 2019
![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")
Climate Resilience:
DOD Needs to Assess Risk and Provide Guidance on Use of Climate Projections in Installation Master Plans and Facilities DesignsGAO-19-453: Published: Jun 12, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 12, 2019.-
KC-46 Tanker Modernization:
Aircraft Delivery Has Begun, but Deficiencies Could Affect Operations and Will Take Time to CorrectGAO-19-480: Published: Jun 12, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 12, 2019.
Jun 6, 2019
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Missile Defense:
Delivery Delays Provide Opportunity for Increased Testing to Better Understand CapabilityGAO-19-387: Published: Jun 6, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 6, 2019.
Jun 5, 2019
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DOD Acquisition Reform:
Leadership Attention Needed to Effectively Implement Changes to Acquisition OversightGAO-19-439: Published: Jun 5, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 5, 2019.
May 21, 2019
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Global Positioning System:
Updated Schedule Assessment Could Help Decision Makers Address Likely Delays Related to New Ground Control SystemGAO-19-250: Published: May 21, 2019. Publicly Released: May 21, 2019.
May 17, 2019
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Defense Management:
Observations on Changes to the Reporting Structure for DOD's Corrosion Office and Its Implementation of GAO RecommendationsGAO-19-513: Published: May 17, 2019. Publicly Released: May 17, 2019.
May 13, 2019
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Special Operations Forces:
Additional Actions Are Needed to Effectively Expand Management OversightGAO-19-386: Published: May 13, 2019. Publicly Released: May 13, 2019.
May 7, 2019
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Weapon Systems Annual Assessment:
Limited Use of Knowledge-Based Practices Continues to Undercut DOD's InvestmentsGAO-19-336SP: Published: May 7, 2019. Publicly Released: May 7, 2019.
May 2, 2019
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Defense Acquisitions:
Observations on the F-35 and Air Force's Advanced Battle Management SystemGAO-19-456T: Published: May 2, 2019. Publicly Released: May 2, 2019.
May 1, 2019
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Army Modernization:
Army Should Take Steps to Reduce RiskGAO-19-502T: Published: May 1, 2019. Publicly Released: May 1, 2019.
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