F/A-18E/F Aircraft Production Decision Should Be Postponed

GAO suggested that the Department of Defense (DOD) postpone the low-rate initial production decision on the F/A-18E/F, currently scheduled for March 28, 1997, until the Quadrennial Defense Review and a congressionally-mandated study comparing the cost and combat operational effectiveness of the F/A-18E/F with those of the F/A-18C/D aircraft have been completed and fully evaluated.