Cost Estimates of the B-1 Aircraft Program
PSAD-77-116-121: Published: May 25, 1977. Publicly Released: May 25, 1977.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
Two independent cost analyses of the B-1 aircraft program prepared by the Air Force resulted in estimates that showed an appreciable difference from the Systems Program Office (SPO) estimate of $22.8 billion for 244 aircraft.
One of the analyses used current and projected cost data from the F-15, F-16, and A-10 programs, while the second was based on historical data from about 20 different aircraft programs. In both cases, the actual B-1 cost data available as of June 30, 1976, were included. The estimate based on historical data was 4% higher than the SPO estimate, while the estimate based on current data was 20% higher. The major reasons for the differences between the independent estimates and the SPO estimate were: (1) different learning curves (improvements in production costs) that are anticipated to be achieved during the production of 240 aircraft; (2) the amount of production experience that can be retained from the four research and development aircraft; and (3) a difference of two percentage points in the amount of fee that contractors are expected to earn. A cost review team from the Office of the Secretary of Defense was of the opinion that the independent Air Force estimate based on current data was the most reasonable, and even that estimate appeared somewhat low.
Dec 15, 2020
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Information on the Spending and Revenue Implications of Potential Debt TargetsGAO-21-211: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 15, 2020.
Oct 7, 2020
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
A Long-Term Plan Is Needed for Fiscal SustainabilityGAO-21-161T: Published: Oct 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 7, 2020.
Sep 23, 2020
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Effective Use of Fiscal Rules and TargetsGAO-20-561: Published: Sep 23, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 23, 2020.
Jan 23, 2020
-
Federal Trust Funds and Other Dedicated Funds:
Fiscal Sustainability Is a Growing Concern for Some Key FundsGAO-20-156: Published: Jan 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 23, 2020.
Dec 19, 2019
-
State and Local Governments' Fiscal Outlook:
2019 UpdateGAO-20-269SP: Published: Dec 19, 2019. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2019.
Nov 14, 2019
-
Certificated Expenditures:
Executive Office of the President FY 2018 Certificated Expenditures Were Spent for Authorized PurposesGAO-20-139R: Published: Nov 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Nov 14, 2019.
Oct 16, 2019
-
Civilian Personnel:
Additional Guidance and Consistent Data Reporting Could Help Improve the Marine Corps' Budget ManagementGAO-20-148: Published: Oct 16, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 16, 2019.
Jun 26, 2019
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Actions Needed to Achieve Long-Term Fiscal SustainabilityGAO-19-611T: Published: Jun 26, 2019. Publicly Released: Jun 26, 2019.
Apr 10, 2019
-
The Nation's Fiscal Health:
Action Is Needed to Address the Federal Government's Fiscal FutureGAO-19-314SP: Published: Apr 10, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 2019.
Mar 27, 2019
-
Fiscal Exposures:
Federal Insurance and Other Activities That Transfer Risk or Losses to the GovernmentGAO-19-353: Published: Mar 27, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 27, 2019.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here
Explore our Key Issues on Budget and Spending
Explore our other Key Issues here
