United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2004-05-17 monographic deposited born digital 39 p. GA 1.13:GAO-04-643R https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-643R P0b002ee1803849a6 f:d04643r DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-643R machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-643R GAO-04-643R Cost analysis Defense capabilities Defense economic analysis Defense procurement Military aircraft Military cost control Military systems analysis Schedule slippages Weapons research and development Weapons systems Cost growth Lasers MDA Airborne Laser Program Correspondence A10095 In 1996, the Air Force launched an acquisition program to develop and produce a revolutionary laser weapon system, the Airborne Laser (ABL), capable of defeating an enemy ballistic missile during the boost phase of its flight. Over the last 8 years, the program's efforts to develop this technology have resulted in significant cost growth and schedule delays. These events led Senate Members to request that we answer the following questions: (1) how much and why has the ABL's cost increased since the program's inception; (2) what is the expected military utility of the initial ABL aircraft; (3) what support systems will be required when the ABL is fielded and what is the likely cost of those systems; and (4) have recent program changes resulted in a more cost effective strategy for developing the weapon? https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-643R/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-643R.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-643R/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-643R.pdf GAO-04-643R https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-04-643R Correspondence GAO-04-643R; Uncertainties Remain Concerning the Airborne Laser's Cost and Military Utility; Cost analysis Defense capabilities Defense economic analysis Defense procurement Military aircraft Military cost control Military systems analysis Schedule slippages Weapons research and development Weapons systems Cost growth Lasers MDA Airborne Laser Program