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Mission Effectiveness of the AV-8B Harrier II Could Be Improved if Actions Are Taken Now

MASAD-82-19 Published: Feb 26, 1982. Publicly Released: Feb 26, 1982.
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Highlights

GAO reviewed the AV-8B Harrier II program to provide Congress with a status report on its development. The AV-8B Harrier II is a light attack aircraft with vertical and short-takeoff and landing capability being developed by the Navy to provide close air support for Marine Corps amphibian forces. The AV-8B is designed to be a substantially improved version of the AV-8A aircraft currently used by the Marine Corps.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should require the Navy to develop adequate logistics support and support equipment to achieve the weapon system's operational mission and direct the Navy to plan for the quantity and skills of maintenance personnel needed to support the aircraft when it becomes operational.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of Defense should require the Navy to develop adequate logistics support and support equipment to achieve the weapon system's operational mission and direct the Navy to plan for the quantity and skills of maintenance personnel needed to support the aircraft when it becomes operational.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to reevaluate its plan to purchase TAV-8As and consider developing a TAV-8B after examining the relative costs and benefits of the two trainer aircraft.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to reevaluate its plan to purchase TAV-8As and consider developing a TAV-8B after examining the relative costs and benefits of the two trainer aircraft.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to determine the costs of developing and procuring a trainer aircraft, the 25-mm gun system, and other aircraft changes and include these costs in the AV-8B program cost estimate.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to determine the costs of developing and procuring a trainer aircraft, the 25-mm gun system, and other aircraft changes and include these costs in the AV-8B program cost estimate.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to reevaluate the current AV-8B program to determine whether reduced annual procurement rates will adversely affect the Marine Corps' ability to meet its mission objectives.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information..
United States Marine Corps The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to reevaluate the current AV-8B program to determine whether reduced annual procurement rates will adversely affect the Marine Corps' ability to meet its mission objectives.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to reevaluate the current AV-8B program to determine whether reduced annual procurement rates will adversely affect the Marine Corps' ability to meet its mission objectives.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to evaluate the cost effectiveness of increasing AV-8B combat survivability. If cost effective, design changes should be made before aircraft production, if possible.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.
Department of the Navy The Secretary of Defense should direct the Navy to evaluate the cost effectiveness of increasing AV-8B combat survivability. If cost effective, design changes should be made before aircraft production, if possible.
Closed – Implemented
Please call 202/512-6100 for information.

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Topics

Aircraft maintenanceCost analysisFighter aircraftMilitary research and developmentNaval procurementProgram evaluationProgram managementVertical takeoff aircraftAttack aircraftAircraft acquisition program