Air-Launched Cruise Missile

Logistics Planning Problems and Implications for Other Weapon Systems Gao ID: PLRD-82-68 May 10, 1982

GAO reviewed the integrated logistics support (ILS) planning for the Air Force's air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) and the related B-52 carrier aircraft modifications programs.

GAO found a number of problems which will inhibit the economy and effectiveness of logistics support for the systems. These problems were primarily caused by the programs' concurrent development and production acquisition strategy, which was adopted to meet the required operational availability date for the ALCM. Specifically, GAO found that: (1) program constraints created special problems for logistics planners, which made it difficult to ensure timely and accurate logistics support; (2) action on suggested design changes to improve logistics supportability was given a low priority; (3) testing programs which would provide needed information on logistics supportability requirements were delayed, and a program to develop depot maintenance capabilities was deferred; and (4) management tools, such as logistics support analysis, life-cycle costing, and budgeting for logistics resources, could be used more effectively. GAO also found that logistics support costs for the ALCM and other cruise-missile variants might be reduced by consolidating depot maintenance for those components which are common to the missile 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: Team: Phone:


The Justia Government Accountability Office site republishes public reports retrieved from the U.S. GAO These reports should not be considered official, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Justia.