Logistics Support Costs for the B-1B Aircraft Can Be Reduced

GAO undertook a review to determine whether: (1) reasonable assumptions were being used to determine the B-1B logistics requirements; and (2) aircraft support could be more efficient and economical than that currently planned. GAO focused its review on the planned B-1B logistics support, basing, and maintenance.

GAO found that, while the Air Force's logistics support for the B-1B has been extensive, its logistics planning has been constrained by the inadequacy of the logistics data developed during the research and development of the aircraft's predecessor and a concurrent development and production schedule which forced Air Force planners to make logistics decisions before they had sufficient data. In addition, the Air Force had initially planned the combined purchasing of aircraft components for only about 15 percent of the initial spare parts procurement. However, in 1984, the Air Force used combined purchasing to order 68 percent of its initial spare parts procurements and 22 percent of its replenishments spare parts procurements. Furthermore, buying directly from the manufacturers versus buying from four contractors was not considered. The Air Force is planning to deploy the aircraft at four bases. GAO found that an elimination of one base could potentially save $78 million in new facility costs, $55 million in training and support equipment, and about $25 million per year in personnel costs. GAO believes that deploying some strategic alert aircraft at a fourth location could mitigate the Air Force's concern that fewer bases would increase aircraft vulnerability. Finally, GAO found that centralizing all B-1B avionics repair could reduce acquisition costs by $85 million and operating costs by about $15 million.

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: John Landicho Team: General Accounting Office: National Security and International Affairs Division Phone: (202) 275-6504