Test Resources: Early Testing of Major ASW Weapons Can Be Enhanced by Increased Focus on Test Resources
NSIAD-86-174
Published: Jun 30, 1986. Publicly Released: Jun 30, 1986.
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Highlights
GAO summarized its review of early testing of major antisubmarine warfare (ASW) weapons, specifically the: (1) adequacy of Navy test resources to represent Soviet submarine capabilities and the ocean environment in which they operate; and (2) effectiveness in identifying and acquiring test resources during the development, test, and evaluation phases.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected Sort descending | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | The Secretary of Defense should direct the Secretary of the Navy to designate a sponsor for major antisubmarine warfare test resources such as targets, ranges, and generic simulation capabilities. |
Closed – Implemented
The Navy was tasked to prepare a plan of action with milestones on how the recommendations will be accommodated. The Navy appointed a sponsor, the Director of Research, Development and Acquisition (OP-098).
|
| Department of the Navy | The Secretary of the Navy should direct the designated sponsor to consolidate and prioritize test resource limitations to determine those having the greatest need for funding. |
Closed – Not Implemented
GAO issued a report, NSIAD-88-80, March 1988, which included a similar recommendation to prioritize test resources.
|
| Department of the Navy | The Secretary of the Navy should direct the designated sponsor to ensure that all acquisition milestone presentations give sufficient consideration to test resource needs and the extent to which development, test, and evaluation performance requirements may not be fully demonstrated due to limitations in test resources. |
Closed – Implemented
The Navy was tasked to prepare a plan of action with milestones on how the recommendations will be accommodated. The Navy issued new SECNAV Instruction 5420.188A, titled "Navy and Marine Corps Program Decision Meetings". This instruction requires that test resource requirements and the impact of any shortfalls be fully addressed at major milestone decision points.
|
| Department of the Navy | The Secretary of the Navy should direct the designated sponsor to ensure that Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMP) contain analyses of the effects that test resource limitations have on the usefulness and validity of test results. |
Closed – Implemented
The Navy was tasked to prepare a plan of action with milestones on how the recommendations will be accommodated. The new Department of Defense instructions are more specific and direct the service TEMP to fully explain limitations.
|
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Topics
Antisubmarine warfareRadar equipmentSubmarinesWeapons systemsMilitary forcesWeaponsDevelopmental testingNational securityInternational affairsAgency evaluations