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 2006-03-31 monographic deposited born digital 150 p. GA 1.13:GAO-06-391 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-391 P0b002ee180388742 f:d06391 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-391 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-391 GAO-06-391 Best practices Best practices methodology Cost analysis Defense capabilities Defense cost control Defense procurement Financial analysis Military research and development Missiles Performance measures Program evaluation Program management Risk management Schedule slippages Strategic planning Technology Weapons research and development Weapons systems Advanced SEAL Delivery System Air Force B-2 Radar Modernization Program Other Written Product A50539

In the last 5 years, the Department of Defense (DOD) has doubled its planned investments in new weapon systems from about $700 billion in 2001 to nearly $1.4 trillion in 2006. While the weapons that DOD 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 weapon programs within estimated costs and to obtain the most from these investments. 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 practices. Programs for the assessments were selected based on several factors including, (1) high dollar value, (2) stage in acquisition, and (3) congressional interest. The majority of the 52 programs covered in this report are considered major defense acquisition programs by DOD. This report also highlights higher level issues raised by the cumulative experiences of individual programs. GAO updates this report annually under the Comptroller General's authority. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-391/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-391.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-391/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-391.pdf GAO-06-391 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-06-391 Other Written Product GAO-06-391; Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Major Weapon Programs; Best practices Best practices methodology Cost analysis Defense capabilities Defense cost control Defense procurement Financial analysis Military research and development Missiles Performance measures Program evaluation Program management Risk management Schedule slippages Strategic planning Technology Weapons research and development Weapons systems Advanced SEAL Delivery System Air Force B-2 Radar Modernization Program Title 10 Section 2433 10 U.S.C. 2433