Battlefield Automation: Army Tactical Command and Control System Development Problems
NSIAD-91-172
Published: Jul 31, 1991. Publicly Released: Aug 15, 1991.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed weaknesses in the Army's efforts to develop segments of its Tactical Command and Control System, focusing on the: (1) All Source Analysis System; (2) Maneuver Control System; and (3) Common Hardware and Software.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Because of the continuing weaknesses in the development of the All Source Analysis System, the Maneuver Control System, and the Common Hardware and Software computers, Congress may wish to eliminate all funding for the development and acquisition of a limited capability All Source Analysis System. |
Closed – Implemented
|
The joint appropriations committee reduced the All Source Analysis System procurement by $5.5 million and its RDT&E request by $15.5 million. |
| Because of the continuing weaknesses in the development of the All Source Analysis System, the Maneuver Control System, and the Common Hardware and Software computers, Congress may wish to not approve any Maneuver Control System procurement funds until: (1) specific requirements for the light divisions are defined; (2) a test plan that includes testing major software revisions prior to a production decision is developed and approved; and (3) the revised system successfully completes an operational test that demonstrates its military effectiveness. |
Closed – Implemented
|
The joint appropriations committee reduced the MCS procurement by $37.9 million. |
| Because of the continuing weaknesses in the development of the All Source Analysis System, the Maneuver Control System, and the Common Hardware and Software computers, Congress may wish to not approve any procurement funds for the larger Common Hardware and Software computers until the Army completes needs and economic analyses that: (1) demonstrate the need to have the same capability at each unit; and (2) justify the additional investment. |
Closed – Implemented
|
Analysis has been completed with reductions of $91.6 million identified. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to stop further acquisition of the limited capability All Source Analysis System. |
Closed – Implemented
Congress deleted funding for the program.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to develop and follow a test plan that will establish a baseline upon which to measure the merits of the All Source Analysis System and ensure user requirements are met before a production decision is made. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The Army has restructured the program, including a new test plan. Follow-on evaluations will address new tests. The recommendation is no longer applicable.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to ensure that: (1) the Maneuver Control System's requirements for the light divisions are defined; (2) a Maneuver Control System test plan is developed and approved for light divisions and updated and approved for heavy divisions; and (3) the new Maneuver Control System successfully completes an operational test that demonstrates its military effectiveness using the software version that is to be fielded. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The program has been delayed due to software development problems. GAO will continue to monitor. The program has been restructured to do software failures. GAO is continuing to review ATCCS corrections.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Army to perform economic and needs analyses that justify the increase in Common Hardware and Software acquisition costs because units will now be required to use the transportable Common Hardware and Software computers at many locations. |
Closed – Implemented
Based on the recommendation, the Army has reduced its CHS requirements by $91.6 million.
|
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Topics
Army procurementCommand control communications systemsComputer equipment managementSoftwareCost analysisDefense capabilitiesManagement information systemsMilitary communicationMilitary systems analysisTesting