Close Air Support

Upgraded A-7 Aircraft's Mission Effectiveness and Total Cost Unknown Gao ID: NSIAD-88-210 September 2, 1988

In response to a congressional request, GAO discussed the Air Force's efforts to upgrade its A-7 aircraft.

GAO found that the Air Force: (1) awarded a contract to develop two upgraded A-7 prototypes, known as the A-7 PLUS, to evaluate the feasibility of engineering changes; (2) did not identify specific operational performance requirements for the upgraded aircraft, but expects that they will perform better than the A-7 aircraft; (3) did not evaluate the A-7 PLUS aircraft's projected capabilities against the latest close air support and battlefield air interdiction scenarios and mission requirements because it did not have the requirements or the resources when it decided on the aircraft; (4) estimated that it would cost $4.9 billion to upgrade the A-7 aircraft, including $178 million for the two prototype aircraft; (5) has not decided on avionics engine options and modifications which could increase the overall cost; and (6) because of limited production funds and budgetary delays, revised the delivery date from 1991 to 1993.

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.

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