B-2 Bomber

Cost to Complete 20 Aircraft Is Uncertain Gao ID: NSIAD-94-217 September 8, 1994

Problems with the technology of the B-2 Stealth bomber, including its sophisticated radar systems and computer software, coupled with testing delays, could push acquisition costs for 20 aircraft above the $44 billion ceiling imposed by Congress. Although the Air Force believes that the B-2 acquisition program can be completed within the total program cost limitation, the Air Force has not prepared documentation describing its analysis, assumptions, and rationale for the estimate. GAO believes that major uncertainties surround completion of the B-2 acquisition within the cost limitation. About 57 percent of the planned flight test hours are not yet completed and testing to date has highlighted problems that have not yet been corrected. Additional performance problems could crop up during the remaining testing that would boost program costs.

GAO found that: (1) although Congress has appropriated $39.6 billion through fiscal year (FY) 1994 for the B-2 acquisition program, significant development, testing, production, and modification efforts remain if the 20 B-2 operational aircraft are to meet their final performance configurations; (2) the Air Force plans to use its funding request over a 10-year period; (3) although the Air Force believes that the total program cost limitation will be sufficient to complete the program, it has not supported its analysis and cost estimate with adequate documentation; (4) in 1993, an independent review of the B-2 program determined that the program may be vulnerable to significant cost increases; (5) considerable uncertainty remains as to whether the Air Force will be able to complete the B-2 acquisition within the program's time and cost limitations because a majority of B-2 flight testing has not been completed and performance problems have not been corrected; (6) the Air Force expects that most of the remaining B-2 program funding will be spent on support costs; and (7) Congress has required the Air Force to report on the most cost-effective use of both public and private facilities to support the B-2 program before it establishes an organic maintenance activity.

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.

Director: Team: Phone:


The Justia Government Accountability Office site republishes public reports retrieved from the U.S. GAO These reports should not be considered official, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Justia.