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 2005-09-14 monographic deposited born digital 12 p. GA 1.13:GAO-05-659R https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-659R P0b002ee18037ee9d f:d05659r DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-659R machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-659R GAO-05-659R Defense capabilities Defense contingency planning Documentation Program evaluation Strategic mobility forces Strategic planning Transportation Computer modeling Statistical data DOD Mobility Capabilities Study Correspondence A36758 We are reviewing the processes the Department of Defense (DOD) is using to conduct its Mobility Capabilities Study (MCS). The MCS is to address changes in DOD's transportation force structure and mobility requirements due to changes in threats and certain national security and military strategies. The study results may underpin decisions on future strategic airlift, aerial refueling aircraft, and sealift procurements. The study relies on the use of various models and data inputs to develop and evaluate transportation alternatives, including variations in alternative transportation modes (air, land, sea) and sources (military, civilian, foreign), as well as factors that affect transportation mode and source decisions. The Senate Armed Services Committee directed us to monitor the conduct of the MCS and report on the adequacy and completeness of the report no later than 30 days after DOD completes the study. DOD plans to issue the MCS report during 2005. This letter is intended to bring to the Secretary of Defense's attention preliminary observations on certain aspects of the MCS methodology to permit you to ensure the credibility of this and future studies. In our letter, we address the adequacy of the department's verification, validation, and accreditation (VV&A) of the models and simulations being used to conduct the MCS--that is, the process the MCS team is using to identify the models' capabilities, limitations, and performance relative to the real world events they simulate. We will continue to monitor the MCS and will report on the adequacy and completeness of the methodology after DOD issues its report. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-659R/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-659R.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-659R/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-659R.pdf GAO-05-659R https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-659R Correspondence GAO-05-659R; Defense Transportation: Opportunities Exist to Enhance the Credibility of the Current and Future Mobility Capabilities Studies; Defense capabilities Defense contingency planning Documentation Program evaluation Strategic mobility forces Strategic planning Transportation Computer modeling Statistical data DOD Mobility Capabilities Study