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Antitank Weapons: Current and Future Capabilities

PEMD-87-22 Published: Sep 17, 1987. Publicly Released: Sep 28, 1987.
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Highlights

In response to a congressional request, GAO assessed the Department of Defense's (DOD) infantry antitank weapons' capabilities to determine the: (1) probability of hitting targets; (2) probability of a target kill; (3) rate of fire; (4) fire sustainability; and (5) infantry and weapons survivability.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure that the data generated by DOD regarding antitank weapon performance are comparable across weapon alternatives and cover the fire effectiveness factors and three degradation factors contained in the GAO framework.
Closed – Implemented
Responding to congressional direction, DOD is revising its antiarmor master plan in accord with the GAO framework. The 1988 Antiarmor Munitions Plan does apply GAO framework to most, but not all, infantry antitank weapons in current and planned U.S. inventory. Continued application is not assured; DOD stated that continued application will depend on reaction to the 1988 plan.

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Topics

National Defense
Combat readinessDefense capabilitiesGround warfareAntitank weaponsMilitary land vehiclesMilitary materielMilitary procurementMissile warheadsTestingWeapons research and developmentWeapons systems