Results of Forthcoming Critical Tests Are Needed To Confirm Army Remotely Piloted Vehicle's Readiness for Production

GAO reviewed the changes made in the Army's remotely piloted vehicle (RPV) program during the past 2 years and analyzed the work that remains ahead. This report is one in a series of annual reports on the status of selected major weapon systems.

The Army is developing the RPV to provide field surveillance information which it relays to supporting ground units. GAO noted that the cost of the RPV program is estimated to be $2.44 billion, an increase of $1.9 billion since the baseline estimate in 1978. A major part of this increase was due to technical problems, reduced funding allocations which lengthened the program's schedule, and the addition of an infrared vision system. The remaining increase is attributable to changes in the system's concept that involve enhancements necessary to expand mission capabilities. GAO believes that the number of enhancements may represent too ambitious a program and that the potential exists for additional substantial cost increases. While most of the subsystems which had earlier technical difficulties have shown good progress when tested individually, their integration may prove difficult and this may delay initial production. Other significant problems which developed during the past year involved the vehicle's weight and the software which overtaxed the computer's internal capacity. GAO found that the tight development schedule allows little room for setbacks.

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: Henry W. Connor Team: General Accounting Office: National Security and International Affairs Division Phone: (202) 275-4141