Electronic Warfare

Laser Warning System Production Should Be Limited Gao ID: NSIAD-93-14 January 25, 1993

Installed in combat helicopters, the AVR-2 and AVR-2A laser warning systems are designed to alert pilots to the type and location of laser-guided enemy weapons. GAO believes that production of the AVR-2 and AVR-2A should be slowed until operational tests are completed successfully. The AVR-2's poor performance during operational testing forced its redesign. Even though half of the total quantity required has been procured, neither the redesigned AVR-2 nor the further redesigned AVR-2A has been subjected to operational tests to ensure satisfactory performance. This contradicts Pentagon acquisition policy, and the Army risks buying defective systems.

GAO found that: (1) the performance capability of AVR-2 and AVR-2A has not been proven, since neither system has been subjected to operational tests to ensure satisfactory performance; (2) the Army planned to rely on technical tests to demonstrate system performance instead of operational tests; (3) AVR-2 failed to demonstrate acceptable performance in its initial operational tests and, therefore, was redesigned; and (4) production of AVR-2 and AVR-2A should be minimized until successful completion of operational tests.

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