Intelligence Programs

New RC-135 Aircraft Engines Can Reduce Cost and Improve Performance Gao ID: NSIAD-92-305 August 25, 1992

This report provides information on the replacement of engines for the military's fleet of 21 RC-135 aircraft, which are used for intelligence missions around the globe. Dating to the 1960s, the RC-135 fleet still uses the original engines, which are increasingly unreliable and costly to maintain. GAO discusses (1) the estimated cost to replace the RC-135 aircraft's engines, (2) the projected savings in operation and maintenance costs by replacing the engines, and (3) the operational benefits arising from engine replacement.

GAO found that: (1) as of May 1992, the Air Force estimated that the cost for replacing the RC-135 aircraft's engines would be about $631 million, plus an additional $24 million to $40 million for spares; (2) the Air Force has allocated $445.5 million through fiscal year 1997 to replace engines on 15 aircraft, and the Defense Intelligence Agency has designated engine replacement funds for its three aircraft, but these funds are subject to reallocation; (3) the replacement of engines for the remaining three aircraft is presently unfunded; (4) the potential savings from replacing the engines are $1.5 billion through 2020; and (5) the new engines could improve operational performance, such as increased engine reliability, increased safety in marginal take-off and landing conditions, increased operating altitudes, and decreased pollution.

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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