1992 Defense Budget: Potential Adjustments to Ammunition Programs

Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed: (1) the military services' justifications for their fiscal year (FY) 1992 budget requests for ammunition; (2) the Army's request for ammunition production base support; (3) selected segments of prior-year ammunition programs; and (4) additional, but unbudgeted, needs identified by the Army and the Marine Corps for FY 1992.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter	Status	Comments
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations should reduce the Army's FY 1992 request by $80.4 million for eight ammunition items and by $8.2 million for production base support.	Closed – Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations reduced the Army's FY 1992 ammunition budget request for five items by $60.7 million and the Army's production base support request by $2.5 million. They did not make the other recommended reductions. GAO will follow-up on this recommendation during its on-going FY 1993 ammunition budget review.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations should reduce the Army's FY 1992 request by $80.4 million for eight ammunition items and by $8.2 million for production base support.	Closed – Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations reduced the Army's FY 1992 ammunition budget request for five items by $60.7 million and the Army's production base support request by $2.5 million. They did not make the other recommended reductions. GAO will follow-up on this recommendation during its on-going FY 1993 ammunition budget review.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations should reduce the Army's FY 1991 appropriation by $10.1 million.	Closed – Not Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations did not make the recommended reductions. Since Congress has completed its markup sessions, the recommendation is no longer applicable. GAO will follow-up on this recommendation during its on-going FY 1993 ammunition budget review and make a new recommendation if the program can still be reduced.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations should reduce the Army's FY 1991 appropriation by $10.1 million.	Closed – Not Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations did not make the recommended reductions. Since Congress has completed its markup sessions, the recommendation is no longer applicable. GAO will follow-up on this recommendation during its on-going FY 1993 ammunition budget review and make a new recommendation if the program can still be reduced.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations may wish to consider offsetting the recommended budget recommendations for the Army by funding the 12 additional ammunition items that the Army needs, but did not budget for, and that can be delivered within FY 1992 delivery schedules.	Closed – Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations increased the Army's budget for several ammunition items that GAO identified for potential increases.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations may wish to consider offsetting the recommended budget recommendations for the Army by funding the 12 additional ammunition items that the Army needs, but did not budget for, and that can be delivered within FY 1992 delivery schedules.	Closed – Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations increased the Army's budget for several ammunition items that GAO identified for potential increases.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations should reduce the Air Force's FY 1992 ammunition budget request by $108.7 million.	Closed – Implemented	As recommended in GAO/NSIAD-91-235, the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations placed a restriction on the Air Force's $108.7 million for the Sensor Fuzed Weapon. The recommendation to reduce the request is no longer applicable. GAO will follow-up on this recommendation during its on-going FY 1993 ammunition budget review and make a new recommendation if the program can still be reduced.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations should reduce the Air Force's FY 1992 ammunition budget request by $108.7 million.	Closed – Implemented	As recommended in GAO/NSIAD-91-235, the Senate and House Committees on Appropriations placed a restriction on the Air Force's $108.7 million for the Sensor Fuzed Weapon. The recommendation to reduce the request is no longer applicable. GAO will follow-up on this recommendation during its on-going FY 1993 ammunition budget review and make a new recommendation if the program can still be reduced.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations should reduce the Navy's FY 1992 ammunition budget request by $14.9 million.	Closed – Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations reduced the Navy's FY 1992 ammunition budget request for three ammunition items by $14.9 million, as recommended.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations should reduce the Navy's FY 1992 ammunition budget request by $14.9 million.	Closed – Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations reduced the Navy's FY 1992 ammunition budget request for three items by $14.9 million, as recommended.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations should reduce the Marine Corps' ammunition budget request by $83.3 million for five items.	Closed – Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations reduced the Marine Corps' FY 1992 ammunition budget request for three items by $59.7 million. They did not make the other recommended reduction of $23.6 million for one item. GAO will follow-up on this recommendation during its on-going FY 1993 ammunition budget review and make a new recommendation if the program can still be reduced.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations should reduce the Marine Corps' ammunition budget request by $83.3 million for five items.	Closed – Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations reduced the Marine Corps' FY 1992 ammunition budget request for three items by $59.7 million. They did not make the other recommended reduction of $23.6 million for one item. GAO will follow-up on this recommendation during its on-going FY 1993 ammunition budget review and make a new recommendation if the program can still be reduced.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations may wish to consider offsetting the recommended budget reductions for the Marine Corps by funding the seven additional ammunition items that the Marine Corps needs, and did not budget for, and that can be delivered within the FY 1992 program period.	Closed – Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations increased the Marine Corps' budget for some ammunition items that GAO identified for potential increases.
The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations may wish to consider offsetting the recommended budget reductions for the Marine Corps by funding the seven additional ammunition items that the Marine Corps needs, and did not budget for, and that can be delivered within the FY 1992 program period.	Closed – Implemented	The Senate and House Committees on Appropriations increased the Marine Corps' budget for some ammunition items that GAO identified for potential increases.

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