Opportunities To Reduce the Cost of Some B-52 Modifications

Gao ID: MASAD-82-30 April 9, 1982

GAO reviewed the Air Force's revised plans for structuring the strategic bomber force. The Air Force now plans to buy 100 B-1B aircraft, reduce the number of B-52G aircraft that will be equipped to carry cruise missiles, equip all B-52H aircraft with cruise missiles, and retire all B-52D aircraft by the end of 1986. The B-52G aircraft which are not equipped with cruise missiles will assume the conventional bombing role previously assigned to the B-52D aircraft.

GAO found that certain costly items may not be needed in view of the missions of the various models of the B-52 aircraft and their expected life in the force. The offensive avionics system (OAS) modification could be scaled back on 67 B-52G's by deleting unneeded components for a potential savings of $21.6 million. The OAS modification includes redundant inertial navigation and computer processor systems to ensure successful cruise missile launch even if the primary units fail; this is desirable, but not required since other B-52 systems could provide the necessary information. The B-52G's will replace the B-52D's when they retire, and the use of systems and processors acquired for B-52D's on other B-52 aircraft could further reduce OAS funding needs by $33 million. The navigation systems are identical to those used in the OAS, and the computer processors could be modified for the new aircraft. Accounting for all B-52D assets before the aircraft are retired could eliminate buying more items than are needed. In addition, a $35 million modification to comply with the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty II requirements for aircraft identification may not be needed on B-52H aircraft that carry cruise missiles.

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: C. William Moore Team: General Accounting Office: Mission Analysis and Systems Acquisition Division Phone: (202) 275-3198


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