Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Outrider Demonstrations Will Be Inadequate to Justify Further Production
NSIAD-97-153
Published: Sep 23, 1997. Publicly Released: Sep 23, 1997.
Skip to Highlights
Highlights
GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) acquisition of the Outrider, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, through a streamlined acquisition process known as the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD), focusing on whether: (1) DOD is applying lessons learned from prior UAV programs to the Outrider; and (2) the Outrider is likely to meet user needs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | Because DOD's strategy for acquiring the nondevelopmental Outrider system will not provide assurance of successful performance and interoperability before DOD's planned low-rate production decision, and to avoid repeating the mistakes of prior UAV programs, the Secretary of Defense should delay low-rate production of the Outrider system until the results of operational testing of available systems demonstrate it is potentially operationally effective and operationally suitable for all intended users. |
Closed – Implemented
The Congress zeroed the fiscal year 1998 production funds that DOD had budgeted for further Outrider production.
|
Full Report
Office of Public Affairs
Topics
Air defense systemsAircraft researchConcurrencyDefense capabilitiesDefense procurementMilitary aircraftProduct evaluationTestingInteroperabilityUnmanned aerial systems