1993 DOD Budget

GAO examined the Defense Department's (DOD) fiscal year 1993 budget request and prior years' appropriations for command, control, and communications programs. Schedule delays, program requirements and changes, and uncertainties have affected program funding requirements for fiscal year 1993 as well as fiscal year 1992 appropriations. GAO identified $987.3 million in potential reductions and rescissions. These totaled $217.3 million in Army programs, $504.5 million in Navy programs, $116.6 million in Air Force programs, and $148.9 million in Defense Agencies' programs. GAO focused on program cost, schedule, and performance issues and examined expenditure documents to see whether requests were adequately justified and whether unobligated funds from prior appropriations should be retained. GAO also evaluated budgetary implications of program changes resulting from threat changes identified by DOD.

GAO found that: (1) the Army could potentially reduce its FY 1993 budget request for C3 programs by $217.3 million, by cancelling unneeded development and implementation of parts of its All Source Analysis System, reducing testing of its Data Distribution System, delaying the schedule for its Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System, delaying procurement of a data transfer device and the mobile command system, and delaying contract award for an improved laser warning system; (2) the Navy could potentially reduce its FY 1993 budget request for C3 programs and have its FY 1992 appropriations rescinded by $504.5 million, by delaying procurement of hardware, a radar jammer, and a reconnaissance system, cancelling procurement or conversion of ships, cancelling pier construction, and terminating production of its Fixed Distributed System; (3) the Air Force could potentially reduce its FY 1993 budget request for C3 programs by $116.6 million, by delaying or cancelling contract awards for modular control equipment, unneeded weather equipment, airframes, and aircraft support equipment and tooling; and (4) DOD could potentially reduce its FY 1993 budget request for C3 programs by $148.9 million, by delaying procurement of unmanned aerial vehicles.