The Air Force Can Improve Its Maintenance Information Systems

Highlights

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed certain maintenance activities at the Air Force to identify where information technology can benefit agencies in terms of economy and efficiency. The review suggested ways to improve Air Force maintenance information management, as well as the Air Force information management program.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Department of the Air Force	The Secretary of the Air Force should develop uniform and cost-effective systems for collecting and processing accurate maintenance information needed to meet identified requirements.	Closed – Implemented When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
Department of the Air Force	The Secretary of the Air Force should identify the full costs and benefits of the AMS prototype and, if justified, develop automated maintenance information capabilities which would be compatible with standard Air Force base-level computer systems. This action would eliminate the need for stand-alone maintenance computer systems beyond Altus, Dover, and Travis Air Force Bases.	Closed – Implemented An economic analysis of a core automated maintenance system has been completed by the Air Force.
Department of the Air Force	The Secretary of the Air Force should defer terminating the Maintenance Cost System until issues concerning data accuracy, productivity management, and Visibility and Management of Operating and Support Costs II system requirements are resolved.	Closed – Implemented The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) formed a steering group to analyze requirements for service operating and support costs systems.
Department of Defense	The Secretary of Defense should reassess the requirements for an operating and support cost system and work with the Air Force to develop a system that will meet these requirements.	Closed – Implemented OSD formed a steering group to analyze operating and support cost requirements.
Department of the Air Force	The Secretary of the Air Force should determine maintenance information requirements for the different levels of command throughout the Air Force.	Closed – Implemented A core automated maintenance system was developed as a result of this analysis.
Department of the Air Force	The Secretary of the Air Force should determine whether a Phase IV compatible automated maintenance information system may eliminate the need for the F-16 Central Data System. This issue should be considered when deciding on future Central Data System support, expansion plans, and lease versus purchase of equipment.	Closed – Implemented The F-16 system will be eliminated when development of the core automated maintenance system is complete.
Department of the Air Force	The Secretary of the Air Force should apply information resources management approaches to managing future information system development efforts.	Closed – Implemented New Air Force regulations for managing Air Force information systems and resource acquisition were issued.

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Topics

Information Technology

Data collectionErrorsInformation systemsPaperwork reductionSystems evaluationSystems managementInformation managementSystems designMilitary forcesAircraft acquisition program