Problems With Commercial Vehicles When Used in Tactical Environments

Gao ID: LCD-80-114 September 29, 1980

An assessment was made of the Army's use of commercial trucks in tactical environments. GAO reviewed the M-880/890 series commercial trucks to determine how the vehicles assigned to tactical units were used, and how the vehicles performed in tactical areas.

GAO found that the commercial trucks were performing tasks for which they were not intended or designed. Also, the tactical units were using the trucks to haul and pull cargo that exceeded their maximum weight capacity. As a result, mechanical problems are limiting the vehicles' durability, performance, and availability. Most of the personnel at the tactical units said that the body construction of the vehicles was too weak to withstand the rough terrain environments. The commercial trucks needed frequent maintenance and repairs to keep them operational.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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