Electronic Warfare

The Air Force continues to procure an upgraded ALQ-135 jammer despite serious performance problems, resulting in the deployment of a system with limited ability to protect F-15 aircraft from enemy weapons. The ALQ-135 is designed to transmit electronic signals that interfere with the radars controlling threat missiles and guns. The upgraded ALQ-135 is a two-band system, designated as Bands 1.5 and 3, for use on newer models of the F-15. Although testing revealed that the Band 3 had serious performance flaws, the Air Force procured almost all its total program quantity without demonstrating acceptable operational performance. Moreover, the Air Force has deferred further production of the Band 1.5. The poor condition of the ALQ-135 program is a direct result of the Defense Department's disregard of congressional expectations, its own written policy, and GAO's recommendations.

GAO found that: (1) the Air Force has continued procurement of the ALQ-135 jammer despite its deficient performance, resulting in the premature deployment of systems with limited capability to protect F-15 aircraft against threat weapons; (2) the Air Force has deferred further production of the 1.5 band component due to problems it encountered on the Band 3 program; (3) acquisition of the Band 3 components before adequate operational testing is inconsistent with DOD policy and legislative requirements; (4) the Air Force does not plan to use any other jammer alternatives for protecting F-15E aircraft because it considers the 1.5 Band the only viable option to provide full jammer coverage; and (5) the poor condition of the ALQ-135 program is a direct result of DOD disregard of congressional expectations, its own written policy, and GAO recommendations.

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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