Opportunities To Reduce the Number of Combat Aircraft Purchased for Noncombat Purposes

GAO discussed opportunities to reduce the number of combat aircraft the Department of Defense (DOD) buys for noncombat purposes. In reiterating previous statements, GAO noted that DOD and the military services have consistently overstated the number of combat aircraft they need for training, maintenance backup, and attrition. DOD acquisition plans indicate that over $11 billion will be spent without adequate justification to obtain support aircraft into the 1990's. Further, DOD assumptions regarding maintenance and attrition needs for those years have been overstated by as much as $21 billion. GAO identified billions of dollars in potential savings if support aircraft purchases were limited to levels that could be adequately justified. GAO concluded that, although DOD maintains that support aircraft would be used in case of war, acquisition justification has continually been inadequate and DOD officials have not effectively acted on prior recommendations to rectify the problem.