United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Accounting and Information Management Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1996-02-27 monographic deposited born digital 11 p. GA 1.13:AIMD-96-28 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-AIMD-96-28 P0b002ee1803719cf f:ai96028 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-23 GAOREPORTS-AIMD-96-28 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-AIMD-96-28 AIMD-96-28 Embedded computer systems Systems conversions Bomber aircraft Advanced weapons systems Computer services contracts Defense capabilities Life cycle costs Air Force procurement Computer software Military cost control B-1B Conventional Mission Upgrade Program Joint Standoff Weapon Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser Air Force Operational Requirements Document Air Force System Requirements Document B-1B Aircraft Letter Report AIMD

The Air Force plans to upgrade the computer and software systems aboard the B-1B bomber, which the Pentagon envisions as the "backbone" of its new bomber fleet. The goal is to transform the B-1B from a nuclear weapons carrier to a conventional weapons carrier. The 1970s vintage computer systems found on the B-1B are operating at near capacity and, without upgrades, cannot support additional weapons and capabilities, such as cluster bombs, a global positioning system for better navigation and guidance, and more-accurate and higher-range weapons. This report discusses recent decisions by the Air Force to upgrade the B-1B's embedded computer systems, particularly in view of concerns GAO raised about the simple memory upgrade. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-AIMD-96-28/html/GAOREPORTS-AIMD-96-28.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-AIMD-96-28/pdf/GAOREPORTS-AIMD-96-28.pdf GAO/AIMD-96-28 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-AIMD-96-28 Letter Report GAO/AIMD-96-28; Embedded Computers: B-1B Computers Must Be Upgraded to Support Conventional Requirements; Embedded computer systems Systems conversions Bomber aircraft Advanced weapons systems Computer services contracts Defense capabilities Life cycle costs Air Force procurement Computer software Military cost control B-1B Conventional Mission Upgrade Program Joint Standoff Weapon Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser Air Force Operational Requirements Document Air Force System Requirements Document B-1B Aircraft Title 31 Section 720 31 U.S.C. 720