Commonality of Radar Warning Receivers

GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) efforts to have the Navy and the Air Force achieve maximum commonality of their radar warning receivers to eliminate duplication of expenditures. DOD recognized that the operational requirements for the receivers are virtually identical, and it instructed the two services to implement certain tasks so that standard hardware could be built. However, the services have essentially ignored the instructions given to them, and their programs have progressed to a point where it may be difficult to change or redirect them so that commonality can be achieved in the near term. If the programs are separately continued, DOD and the services will be justifiably open to criticism for wasting limited funding through duplication of program and contractor overhead, research and development, testing, production facilities, and logistical support. On the other hand, program changes and redesigns to achieve commonality may require significant tradeoffs, such as program delays and contract cost adjustments. However, it does appear that the tradeoffs may be feasible from an operational viewpoint and should be subjected to analysis. GAO believes that the Secretary of Defense should: (1) stop further funding of and suspend work on the radar receiver programs until an acceptable option for developing a common radar warning receiver is agreed to by the Navy and the Air Force; (2) direct the Secretaries of the Navy and the Air Force to identify and make the tradeoffs needed for restructuring a joint commonality program with full Navy and Air Force participation; (3) establish a science advisory group to resolve the technical and threat disputes between the Navy and the Air Force; and (4) release funding for the new joint program upon DOD approval of the commonality plan. The implementation of these recommendations will reduce costs and provide the foundation for standardization.