Navy's F/A-18 Program Faces Budget Concerns and Performance Limitations as Aircraft Enter the Fleet

Gao ID: MASAD-83-28 June 10, 1983

In response to a congressional request, GAO discussed the Navy's F/A-18 strike-fighter program in connection with F/A-18 funding practices, performance problems, and fleet introduction. GAO was asked to determine: (1) the amount of F/A-18 support funds used to finance budget shortfalls and overruns and the operational effect of this financing practice on the Navy's ability to adequately support the aircraft; and (2) the operational test and evaluation results and the effect of performance problems on the aircraft's operational effectiveness.

GAO found that: (1) the Navy employed a series of budgetary and funding practices to cover increases in the cost of building the F/A-18; (2) the Navy believes that F/A-18 performance deficiencies have been or will be resolved, but GAO believes that range may still be a problem; and (3) the unavailability of essential equipment and delays in the Navy's logistics support program may limit F/A-18 operation effectiveness as the aircraft enters fleet service.



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