Army Aviation

Modernization Strategy Needs to Be Reassessed Gao ID: NSIAD-95-9 November 21, 1994

Of the $6.2 billion the Army plans to spend on aviation modernization through fiscal year 1999, $4.7 billion is earmarked for two helicopter programs--the Comanche and the Longbow Apache. GAO found that these acquisitions are costly, face considerable technical risk, and may not deliver the promised enhanced capabilities. Moreover, major changes have occurred in the threat environment and in the force structure that could substantially change the number and mix of helicopters that the Army needs to buy. The Defense Department's (DOD) Bottom-Up Review used different total force structure and unit composition data than did the Army to determine the size of the Army's attack and reconnaissance fleet. The Army's estimates of the quantities of helicopters needed are higher than those subsequently identified by DOD. Therefore, the validity of the Army's aviation modernization strategy is questionable. Finally, DOD and Army studies have not fully considered alternative helicopters and weapon systems that could accomplish many of the planned roles and missions of the Comanche.

GAO found that: (1) the validity of the Army's aviation modernization strategy is questionable; (2) the Army has overstated expected benefits and has understated the technical risks associated with the major systems that comprise its modernization strategy; (3) some Army personnel are concerned that the current procurement plan could result in an inappropriate mix of helicopters and adversely impact their operational effectiveness; (4) the Army has not fully considered alternative helicopters and weapon systems that could accomplish many of the planned roles and missions of the Comanche helicopter; (5) the Army plans to use most of its available resources to procure Comanche helicopters and upgrade Apache helicopters while deferring or cancelling funding of other Army helicopter modernization programs; (6) the Army's Comanche program will be short about $540 million through fiscal year 2004; and (7) to address the shortfall in Comanche funding, the Army plans to streamline the developmental stages of the Comanche program, thereby increasing the risks associated with entering production before the aircraft has been tested and shown to meet specifications.

Recommendations

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