Defense Plans To Deploy Some Cruise Missiles Before They Are Ready

Gao ID: C-MASAD-82-15 February 26, 1982

GAO evaluated the Tomahawk cruise missile program. These missiles, designed to deliver nuclear or conventional warheads, can be launched from the air, sea, or ground. Five variants of the missile are being acquired for use against various land and sea targets.

Because of two test failures, the Tomahawk conventional land attack cruise missile's full-scale production decision has been delayed. If deployed as currently scheduled, the missile will not be fully capable because: (1) it cannot effectively attack certain important targets with the attack options and conventional warheads currently available; (2) it will not be able to attack most potential targets in certain geographic areas, because guidance maps have not been prepared; and (3) questions concerning the missile's survivability remain unresolved. Recent test results show problems in the Tomahawk's targeting accuracy. In addition, there are questions concerning the missile's survivability, the fact that the number of missiles currently approved may not be adequate to satisfy mission needs, and the fact that recent Navy studies indicate that disabling a target is not a simple matter. The principal issue in the ground launched cruise missile program is the total number which will eventually be required. Since development of the medium range air-to-surface missile began, the Navy has repeatedly attempted to avoid funding its portion of the program cost, raising questions about the Navy's need and commitment to the procurement. Although the program is in full-scale engineering development, it has not yet been included in the Selected Acquisitions Reporting system.

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.

Director: John Landicho Team: General Accounting Office: Mission Analysis and Systems Acquisition Division Phone: (202) 275-4308


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