Air Defense

Comparison of Upgraded F-4D and F-16A Aircraft Gao ID: NSIAD-87-163 June 15, 1987

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed Air Force plans to transfer 270 F-16A fighter aircraft from the Tactical Air Force to the Strategic Air Defense (SAD) force to determine: (1) the Air Force's plans and progress on the F-4D demonstration project; (2) the capability of modified F-4D and F-16A aircraft to meet mission requirements; and (3) the cost of the modified F-4D and F-16A alternatives.

GAO found that: (1) the Air Force does not plan to conduct the F-4D demonstration project and has requested reprogramming of the funds; (2) the Air Force concluded that it should retire the F-4D, which has reached the end of its useful life; (3) Air Force Logistics Command and National Guard officials believe that a modified F-4D would have capabilities superior to the F-16A in performing air defense missions; and (4) F-16A modifications and operation and support costs would be less than the F-4D, but would not offset the higher cost of replacing the F-16A.

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: Team: Phone:


The Justia Government Accountability Office site republishes public reports retrieved from the U.S. GAO These reports should not be considered official, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Justia.