DOD Should Change Its Approach to Reducing Computer Software Proliferation

GAO was asked to: (1) evaluate the ongoing efforts of the military services to standardize their computers; (2) determine whether it is more cost effective to standardize the software using a high-level language, Ada; (3) determine whether the Department of Defense (DOD) should rely on the computer industry to provide the stimulus for computer innovations; and (4) determine what possible rationale exists for DOD not moving rapidly to implement Ada.

GAO found that implementing DOD Instruction 5000.5X hinders the agency's ability to use current and anticipated advances in software and related hardware technology. GAO believes that DOD can accomplish its objectives more effectively by using these advances, which would be available by adopting Ada as the standard language for military computers. In two previous reports, GAO was critical of the services' commitment to unique military computers. GAO stated that the following conditions still exist: (1) the three services' continuing military computer efforts, the Navy AN/UYK-43/44 military computer program, the Army MCF, and the Air Force 1750A military computer programs are, in effect, implementations of Instruction 5000.5X; (2) eliminating DOD-owned military computer hardware architectures would encourage competition from a significant portion of the computer industry and, in addition, DOD would not be duplicating the commercial investment in computer technology advances; and (3) the use of Ada could alleviate DOD software problems and, at the same time, permit DOD to capitalize on hardware architectural advances.

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: Carl R. Palmer Team: General Accounting Office: Mission Analysis and Systems Acquisition Division Phone: (202) 275-3482