Electronic Warfare

Costly Radar Warning Receiver Duplication Continues Gao ID: NSIAD-94-4 November 29, 1993

Despite recommendations from Congress that the military services build common electronic warfare systems that can be shared, the Air Force and the Navy have continued to acquire radar warning receivers for fixed-wing aircraft that lack commonality. This lack of progress stems in part from the Defense Department's (DOD) reliance on a flawed analysis justifying the perpetuation of separate radar warning receiving programs. The prospects for achieving commonality for future fixed-wing fighter and attack aircraft are also unclear because DOD has no plans to ensure use of a common system. GAO believes that commonality is feasible and that substantial savings can be realized. The Army has acquired a common radar warning receiver for its helicopters, and a follow-on system for Army and Marine Corps special purpose aircraft and helicopters is being jointly acquired, with savings estimated to be equal to the system acquisition cost.

GAO found that: (1) despite the Department of Defense's (DOD) and Congress' commitment to increasing RWR commonality, the Air Force and Navy have pursued different RWR programs at a cost exceeding $3.4 billion; (2) the Air Force and Navy have not made any progress in achieving RWR commonality for their fixed-wing tactical fighter and attack aircraft since 1987; (3) the lack of commonality in RWR programs continues because DOD has not effectively managed its RWR programs; (4) DOD relies on inadequate analyses to justify separate RWR procurements; (5) achieving commonality in future RWR programs is uncertain because DOD does not have plans to ensure the use of a common system; (6) RWR commonality is feasible and can result in substantial savings; and (7) the services have achieved RWR commonality for their helicopters and special purpose aircraft and are jointly procuring a follow-on system that could result in cost savings nearly equal to the system's total acquisition cost.

Recommendations

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