U.S.-Japan FS-X Codevelopment Program

GAO discussed the proposed FS-X codevelopment program between the United States and Japan. GAO found that: (1) in negotiating the FS-X program, the Departments of Defense (DOD) and State did not coordinate with or solicit the views of the Department of Commerce or other economic policymaking agencies; (2) U.S. industry will receive 40 percent of the value of the total FS-X development budget; (3) DOD officials have emphasized the potential value of Japanese technology, but the United States has superior composites technology and appears to be ahead in radar development; and (4) DOD has taken steps to safeguard U.S. technology, including monitoring the release of sensitive computer software source codes.