Embedded Computer Systems: C-17 Software Development Problems

GAO discussed the Air Force's development and aquisition of C-17 embedded computer systems. GAO noted that: (1) the first C-17 flight test occurred 19 months after the originally scheduled date and the test aircraft did not include many of the software functions necessary for C-17 operational missions; (2) to add the missing functions, the contractor plans to complete two incremental software upgrades by 1993; (3) to avoid further flight-test delays, the contractor has completed software coding and laboratory testing without approved specifications for software functions or performance; and (4) the Air Force's waiver of reserve computer processing, memory capacity, and computer language requirements may raise C-17 program support costs.