Embedded Computer Systems: F-14D Aircraft Software Is Not Reliable
IMTEC-92-21
Published: Apr 02, 1992. Publicly Released: May 04, 1992.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO determined the status of the Navy's development of on-board computer software for its $6.1 billion upgrade of the F-14D fighter aircraft.
Recommendations
Matter for Congressional Consideration
Matter | Status | Comments |
---|---|---|
If Congress considers any further F-14D procurements in the future, it should wait until Navy developmental and operational testing verifies the correction of software discrepancies and F-14D mission effectiveness. | Congress halted production of the F-14D at 55 units for affordability and other reasons, unrelated to the GAO report. |
Recommendations for Executive Action
Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
---|---|---|
Department of the Navy | The Secretary of the Navy should direct the F-14D program office to defer development of additional software functions until existing software is thoroughly tested and serious defects have been resolved. |
The Navy believes it can continue software development while it corrects existing software defects, because the new software is not dependent on the defective software. It has been working to resolve all known defects as part of a predeployment update, scheduled for fleet release in September 1993. The Navy was working on correcting these defects at the time of the GAO review and does not acknowledge the GAO role in its action.
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Department of the Navy | The Secretary of the Navy should direct the F-14D program office to comply with official Department of Defense software development standards as software development efforts continue. |
The Navy fully concurred with this--its response stated that it is now complying with all software development standards, including 2167A, 2168, and 1521B. While clearly this should result in better software, there is no way to easily confirm or measure the benefits.
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Topics
Computer services contractsSoftwareEmbedded computer systemsNaval aircraftNaval procurementProduct evaluationSystems designTestingMilitary forcesAircraft acquisition program