Military Communications

Joint Tactical Information Distribution System Issues Gao ID: NSIAD-93-16 November 12, 1992

The program to develop the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System--intended to display tactical information, such as the position of enemy targets, on terminals in fighter aircraft and ground-based command centers--has experienced fluctuations in the number of terminals needed, reflecting uncertainty about the Pentagon's joint system needs and priority. Specifically, the Air Force revised its plan to equip F-15 aircraft with the terminals and the Army virtually eliminated its involvement in the program, then later reversed its position. In 1989 the Defense Department (DOD) decided to begin low-rate initial production of the system despite unsatisfactory test results and recommendations that production be delayed. A Navy-Air Force decision in 1991 to continue low-rate production for a second year was not based on adequate testing. Although testing in 1992 revealed alarming system deficiencies, production continued. The two criteria essential for justifying system production--operational effectiveness and suitability--have yet to be satisfactorily demonstrated. In addition, the system's cost-effectiveness is questionable because of (1) the uncertainty associated with DOD's joint system needs and priority; (2) unsatisfactory test results; and (3) plans for the smaller, lighter weight, and less costly Multifunctional Information Distribution System.

GAO found that: (1) the JTIDS program has experienced fluctuations in the quantity of terminals required; (2) the Air Force reversed its plans to equip F-15 aircraft with JTIDS terminals; (3) the Army virtually eliminated its involvement in the JTIDS program by reducing planned procurements from 700 terminals to 23 terminals; (4) in 1989, the Department of Defense (DOD) decided to begin low-rate initial production of JTIDS, even though unsatisfactory test and assessment results indicated that the system was not ready for production and operational testing staff recommended that production be delayed; (5) a joint Navy and Air Force decision in 1991 to continue low-rate production for a second year was not based on adequate testing; (6) in 1992, Navy operational testing revealed several significant system deficiencies; and (7) JTIDS cost-effectiveness is questionable because of the uncertainty associated with DOD joint system needs and priorities, unsatisfactory test results, and plans for the smaller, lighter weight, and less costly Multifunctional Information Distribution System.

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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