T-45 Training System

Navy Should Reduce Risks Before Procuring More Aircraft Gao ID: NSIAD-91-46 December 14, 1990

GAO reviewed the Navy's acquisition of the T-45 Training System to evaluate cost, schedule, and performance risks and to assess whether an additional production commitment in fiscal year (FY) 1991 was warranted.

GAO found that: (1) the Navy did not schedule flight testing until after it made production commitments for 20 percent of the planned procurement; (2) tests, redesigns, and modifications have not yet proven that the T-45A Goshawk aircraft is effective or suitable for its mission; (3) the Navy and the contractor have not yet agreed on the actual price for the T-45A aircraft; (4) the Navy did not need the 12 aircraft it requested for FY 1991 to attain an initial operational capability and begin training pilots; (5) the Navy reported that it would still need about $136 million in procurement funds for FY 1991, even if it did not procure any aircraft and bought only two simulators in 1991; and (6) the Navy requested funds for five simulators in FY 1991, but Congress approved procurement for only one, citing the need to slow production while awaiting a stable aircraft design.

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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