Department of the Army's Program To Modify 155-mm. M109 Self-Propelled Howitzers to an M109A5 Configuration

GAO reviewed the Army's program for modifying some of its self-propelled howitzers, a program estimated to cost $1.5 billion.

The Army has deferred approving the full-scale development of the improved howitzers because a cost and operational effectiveness analysis is still in progress, more definitive information on the number of howitzers that should be modified is needed, and the cost estimate needs to be updated. GAO believes that the Army exercised exemplary caution in withholding its approval considering the program uncertainties. The Army has consistently shown its concern about the program's affordability when it has rejected several costly alternative modification programs. GAO found that the Army has a program to procure new armored ammunition supply vehicles which would replenish the howitzer's supply of ammunition. The Army's current ammunition supply vehicle is unarmored and affords little protection to the crew or equipment. However, the Army plans to procure only enough armored ammunition supply vehicles to supply half of the howitzers which would be developed. The benefits resulting from improvements to the howitzers may be offset by the fact that the majority of the howitzers will continue to operate with an ammunition supply vehicle which lacks adequate protection. In addition, GAO believes that more information is needed on the operational availability during wartime of the cannon and the effect of the proposed added weight on the howitzer's mobility.

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: Richard Davis Team: General Accounting Office: National Security and International Affairs Division Phone: (202) 275-4133