Requirements for Munitions Lift Trailers To Support Strategic Bombers

Gao ID: NSIAD-85-83 May 21, 1985

GAO reviewed several issues surrounding the Air Force's acquisition and modification of MHU-173 munitions lift trailers for B-52 and B-1B bombers.

The Air Force has identified the need for 245 trailers and, to date, 82 have been acquired and 71 have been ordered. The Air Force is also considering remanufacturing trailers acquired for B-52's to incorporate recent design improvements which would make the trailers easier to operate and less costly to support. GAO found that the Air Force experienced numerous problems with the trailers when they were initially deployed and has taken several steps to overcome these problems. It has also tested an improved version of the trailer and has decided to develop and procure a new trailer for B-1B bombers. While these initiatives may reduce future lift trailer costs, GAO found that current trailer requirements for the B-52's and B-1B's may be overstated. This could result in the acquisition of as many as 39 more lift trailers than may be needed at an estimated cost of $13 million. Finally, because it is not clear how long the trailers will be used, remanufacture, costing an additional $20 million, may not be cost effective.

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: Harry R. Finley Team: General Accounting Office: National Security and International Affairs Division Phone: (202) 512-5187


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