Naval Surface Fire Support

Navy's Near-Term Plan Is Not Based on Sufficient Analysis Gao ID: NSIAD-95-160 May 19, 1995

The Navy's decision to upgrade existing 5-inch, 54-caliber guns and develop 5-inch precision-guided munitions, at an estimated cost of $246 million, was made without enough analysis. As a result, the Navy is unable to show that this decision will meet naval surface fire support requirements or provide the most cost-effective solution. On the basis of its cost and operational analysis, the Navy initially proposed a $360 million research and development program to (1) develop 155-millimeter, 60-caliber guns; (2) develop 155-millimeter precision-guided munitions with the Army; and (3) research advanced propellants. The Navy also proposed providing limited upgrades to existing 5-inch guns until 155-millimeter, 60-caliber guns became operational. However, the Navy later determined that this plan was unaffordable and decided to limit the program to upgrading existing 5-inch guns and developing 5-inch precision-guided munitions.

GAO found that: (1) the Navy did not sufficiently analyze its needs before deciding on the upgrade of its 5-inch, 54-caliber guns and the development of a 5-inch precision-guided munition; (2) the Navy determined that the most cost-effective system to meet NSFS needs by fiscal year (FY) 2003 would be a 155-millimeter, 60-caliber gun with an advanced propellant and precision-guided munitions in combination with the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile; (3) although it initially proposed to develop the guns at a cost of about $360 million, the Navy has decided to limit the program to upgrading existing guns and developing precision-guided munitions to meet the reduced funding level; (4) the Navy estimates that research and development (R&D) costs for the 5-inch guns will be about $246 million; (5) the Navy R&D budget has a $86-million shortfall that will be corrected in FY 1997; (6) the Marine Corps has revised its minimum NSFS range requirement to reflect the Navy's restructured gun program; and (7) the Navy is conducting a supplemental analysis to evaluate near-term alternatives for NSFS, but it is unclear whether this analysis will support the Navy's decision to upgrade the 5-inch gun.

Recommendations

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