Army's Modifications To Improve the Bradley Fighting Vehicle's Survivability, Reliability, and Performance

GAO discussed the Army's proposed modifications to the Bradley Fighting Vehicle to improve its survivability, reliability, and performance. GAO found that: (1) based on test results, the Army decided to restow the vehicle's ammunition internally; (2) since the Army's installation of new locking device mechanisms, about 1,000 vehicles have participated in swimming exercises with no sinking problems; and (3) although the design changes to the vehicle's transmission components increased its reliability, the Army has not completed modifications in all of the vehicles. GAO also found that: (1) although the Army corrected some of the vehicle's electronic problems, there were still problems with the automated test equipment; (2) the vehicle cannot perform sustained operations in a contaminated environment because it lacks a nuclear biological chemical system; (3) the vehicle's heating system does not provide sufficient heat for the entire crew; (4) the Army plans to equip about 600 vehicles with reactive armor and will eventually retrofit 4,500 of the anticipated 6,800 vehicles; and (5) as a result of these modifications, the vehicle's weight will increase to 65,000 pounds.