Army Acquisition: Javelin Is Not Ready for Multiyear Procurement
NSIAD-96-199
Published: Sep 26, 1996. Publicly Released: Sep 26, 1996.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
GAO reviewed the Army's procurement of the Javelin missile system, focusing on whether the: (1) system meets established criteria for multiyear production contracts; (2) Army adequately tested the system to determine its suitability for full-rate production; and (3) Army's purchase of command launch units during limited production is appropriate.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
| Matter | Status | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Congress may wish to consider requiring that the Army: (1) award annual (instead of multiyear) Javelin contracts for the minimum quantity needed to sustain production until the Army demonstrates that the system's design is stable; and (2) reduce the command launch unit production to the contractor's minimum production level of three units per month. |
Closed – Not Implemented
|
The Congress authorized and fully funded the Army's full-rate production of the Javelin system. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Army to award annual (vice multiyear) Javelin contracts for the minimum quantity needed to sustain production until the Army demonstrates that the system's design is stable. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Although some additional testing was conducted because of the recommendation, the Army has awarded a multiyear contract for Javelin production.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Army to operationally test the redesigned Javelin before proceeding to full-rate production. |
Closed – Implemented
In response to the recommendation, the Army conducted additional development and operational tests to demonstrate that the redesigned missile was acceptable prior to starting full-rate production.
|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Army to modify the third low-rate production contract to reduce command launch unit production from 125 to the contractor's minimum production level of 3 units per month or 36 total units. |
Closed – Not Implemented
The Army stated that, despite the additional costs involved, it would not reduce the low-rate production quantities as GAO recommended. The Army cited the criticality of getting the system to operational units as soon as possible.
|
Full Report
Office of Public Affairs
Topics
Weapons systemsArmy procurementConcurrencyMilitary land vehiclesMissilesMultiyear contractsOperational testingU.S. ArmyMilitary forcesU.S. Marine Corps