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 2005-03-31 monographic deposited born digital 150 p. GA 1.13:GAO-05-301 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-301 P0b002ee18037c9c0 f:d05301 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-301 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-301 GAO-05-301 Best practices Best practices methodology Defense procurement Program evaluation Program management Weapons research and development Weapons systems Cost analysis Defense capabilities Schedule slippages Systems evaluation Missiles Defense cost control Military research and development Strategic planning Advanced SEAL Delivery System Air Force Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Program Other Written Product A20557

The Department of Defense (DOD) is embarking on a number of efforts to enhance warfighting and the way the department conducts business. Major investments are being made to develop improved weapon systems to combat various threats to U.S. security. While the weapons that DOD ultimately develops have no rival in superiority, weapon systems acquisition remains a long-standing high-risk area. GAO's reviews over the past 30 years have found consistent problems with weapon acquisitions such as cost increases, schedule delays, and performance shortfalls. In addition, DOD faces several budgetary challenges that underscore the need to deliver its new major weapon programs within estimated costs and to obtain the most from those investments. DOD can help resolve these problems by using a more knowledge-based approach for developing new weapons. This report provides congressional and DOD decision makers with an independent, knowledge-based assessment of selected defense programs that identifies potential risks and needed actions when a program's projected attainment of knowledge diverges from the best practice. It can also highlight those programs that employ practices worthy of emulation by other programs. GAO plans to update and issue this report annually. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-301/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-301.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-301/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-301.pdf GAO-05-301 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-301 Other Written Product GAO-05-301; Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Major Weapon Programs; Best practices Best practices methodology Defense procurement Program evaluation Program management Weapons research and development Weapons systems Cost analysis Defense capabilities Schedule slippages Systems evaluation Missiles Defense cost control Military research and development Strategic planning Advanced SEAL Delivery System Air Force Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellite Program Title 10 Section 2433 10 U.S.C. 2433 Public Law 107-107