United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office National Security and International Affairs Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1998-03-13 monographic deposited born digital 43 p. GA 1.13:NSIAD-98-61 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-98-61 P0b002ee180390f01 f:ns98061 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-98-61 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-98-61 NSIAD-98-61 Navy procurement Naval aircraft Cost analysis Defense capabilities Testing Future budget projections Cost overruns Advanced weapons systems Inflation Fighter aircraft F/A-18C/D Aircraft F/A-18E/F Aircraft F/A-18 Aircraft DOD Quadrennial Defense Review Joint Strike Fighter Other Written Product NSIAD Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the F/A-18E/F development program, focusing on the: (1) status of the E/F development flight test program; (2) deficiencies that have been identified to date and corrective actions planned; and (3) current cost estimate for the program.<p/>GAO noted that: (1) the Navy has revised the F/A-18E/F flight test program by decreasing the data collection requirements that were originally planned; (2) program documents state that, although flight testing is behind schedule, program decisions to reduce test points will enable the Navy to regain lost time and complete development testing in November 1998, as originally planned; (3) F/A-18E/F program documents identified numerous deficiencies relative to the aircraft's operational performance; (4) the most challenging technical issue is wing drop; (5) until these issues are resolved through software or hardware changes that have been adequately tested, the cost, schedule, and operational performance impact of resolving these deficiencies cannot be determined; (6) the Navy remains confident that it can correct these deficiencies; (7) in addition, a Navy board that assesses risk areas in the E/F program stated in July 1997, that operational testing may determine that the aircraft is not operationally effective or suitable; (8) a December 1997 preliminary operational assessment report, which is classified and based on limited data and analysis, identified 16 major deficiencies with the E/F aircraft but concluded that the F/A-18E/F is potentially operationally effective and suitable; (9) the Navy has consistently stated that the F/A-18E/F will be developed and produced within the cost estimates established for the program; (10) certain key assumptions on which the cost estimate was made have been overtaken by events; (11) program documents state that the current development effort is funded based on the assumption that problems would not occur during testing; (12) unanticipated aircraft deficiencies have occurred, and most of the program's management reserve has been depleted; (13) since the flight test program has about 1 year remaining, it is probable that additional deficiencies will develop; (14) correcting current and potential future deficiencies could result in the development effort exceeding the congressional cost cap; (15) also, the Navy's F/A-18E/F unit procurement cost estimates are understated; (16) these cost estimates were based on what has become unrealistically high quantities of E/F aircraft that will be bought; and (17) more realistic assumptions indicate that, although the total procurement cost will decrease, the F/A-18E/F unit cost will be more than the Navy currently estimates. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-98-61/html/GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-98-61.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-98-61/pdf/GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-98-61.pdf GAO/NSIAD-98-61 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-NSIAD-98-61 Other Written Product GAO/NSIAD-98-61; Navy Aviation: F/A-18E/F Development and Production Issues; Navy procurement Naval aircraft Cost analysis Defense capabilities Testing Future budget projections Cost overruns Advanced weapons systems Inflation Fighter aircraft F/A-18C/D Aircraft F/A-18E/F Aircraft F/A-18 Aircraft DOD Quadrennial Defense Review Joint Strike Fighter S. Rept. 102-352