Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Performance of Short-Range System Still in
Question (Letter Report, 12/15/93, GAO/NSIAD-94-65).

The Army is acquiring the short-range unmanned aerial vehicle--a
pilotless aircraft that can be controlled from the ground--at a
projected cost of $4.1 billion.  The small plane is expected to fly over
enemy territory and perform reconnaissance, surveillance, target
acquisition, and intelligence missions.  The Pentagon believes that the
preproduction test results justify the vehicle's low-rate production.
GAO's review of the test results, however, revealed deficiencies that
could jeopardize the system's ability to meet military requirements.  In
addition, several important performance requirements either were not
tested or were tested under unrealistic conditions, further compounding
the uncertainty about system performance.  The upshot is that the
Defense Department, by allowing the program to be driven by schedule
requirements rather than by proven achievements, has committed to
acquiring an unproven and possibly deficient system.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  NSIAD-94-65
     TITLE:  Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Performance of Short-Range System 
             Still in Question
      DATE:  12/15/93
   SUBJECT:  Defense procurement
             Advanced weapons systems
             Testing
             Systems evaluation
             Product performance evaluation
             Defense capabilities
             Combat readiness
             Military aircraft
             Ground warfare
             Procurement policies
IDENTIFIER:  Short Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
             C-130 Aircraft
             C-5 Aircraft
             Desert Storm
             Pioneer Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
             Fort Huachuca (AZ)
             Airborne Self-Protection Jammer
             ASPJ
             
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