Precision-Guided Munitions

Acquisition Plans for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Gao ID: NSIAD-96-144 June 28, 1996

The Air Force and the Navy are developing the joint air-to-surface standoff missile to attack--day or night--high-value, well-defended targets while allowing the launch aircraft to remain outside the range of enemy defenses. This report discusses (1) the Air Force's plan to use a new acquisition process that balances capability and affordability requirements for acquiring the missile, (2) schedule and cost risks because of the immaturity of essential technology and the complexity of integrating the missile with multiple aircraft, (3) the Air Force's plan to acquire 35 pilot production missiles early in development that may not be needed, and (4) the need to strengthen the Navy's commitment to the program.

GAO found that: (1) the Air Force is using an innovative acquisition process to procure JASSM; (2) the Air Force expects JASSM contractors to modify existing missile designs, use off-the-shelf technology, and apply best commercial practices to their design and production work; (3) some crucial JASSM technologies may not be mature in time for them to be integrated into JASSM; (4) JASSM may be vulnerable to jamming, and the Air Force is trying to identify a cost-effective countermeasure; (5) a JASSM automatic target recognition capability is still under development; (6) the Air Force will phase in integration of JASSM with combat aircraft, undertaking separate programs to integrate the missile with each type of aircraft as funds become available; (7) the Air Force plans to acquire 35 pilot production missiles, but those missiles may not be needed for testing, and may not represent the actual production configuration; (8) the Air Force's unit price goal for JASSM is optimistic when compared to similar missile procurement programs; (9) the Navy has not provided JASSM development funding, but carrier operability is a firm JASSM requirement, and the Navy expects to commit funds for JASSM integration with the F/A-18 aircraft after JASSM development; and (10) the need for JASSM may not be as urgent as the Air Force believes.

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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