Navy's F/A-18 Expected To Be an Effective Performer but Problems Still Face the Program

Gao ID: MASAD-82-20 February 26, 1982

The F/A-18 naval strike fighter development is near completion and GAO provided Congress with a status report.

Development flight testing shows that the F/A-18 will meet most of the design performance goals, and it is expected to effectively perform its fighter and light attack missions. Several logistics support issues gained importance during the F/A-18 program's transition from development to production and deployment. These issues include delay in developing pilot trainers, including their lack of essential equipment for operational units, and inadequate spares support. F/A-18 cost increases continue as a major program issue. GAO anticipates additional program cost growth resulting from underestimated escalation and prime and subcontractor cost increases. While the Navy projected major cost reductions in several areas, significant hard savings have not yet been realized.

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: Donald E. Day Team: General Accounting Office: Mission Analysis and Systems Acquisition Division Phone: (202) 275-3468


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