Electronic Warfare

The Army is spending $1.55 billion to develop the Intelligence Electronic Warfare Common Sensor system, which is an antenna-like device to be mounted on the backs of tanks and other vehicles. The system's purpose is to intercept enemy communications signals, locate the source of those signals, and jam them electronically. It is also expected to be able to locate enemy radars. The Army has prematurely committed to the low-rate initial production of this unproven system and plans an additional low-rate initial production that is not justified. Also, the Army plans to approve additional production of the system and enter full-rate production without showing that it can meet minimum acceptable performance requirements. Unless this acquisition strategy is changed, the Army risks procuring an unsatisfactory system that may require later redesigns and retrofits. Because the Defense Department has indicated an unwillingness to take corrective actions that GAO believes are necessary, Congress should take steps to ensure that these problems are addressed.

GAO found that: (1) the Army prematurely committed to low-rate initial production of IEWCS systems to install on Advanced Quickfix (AQF) helicopters; (2) the Army is planning additional low-rate initial production that it has not justified; (3) the Army plans to enter full-rate production without ensuring that the system meets minimum acceptable performance requirements; and (4) unless the Army changes its acquisition strategy, it could procure a system that requires redesign and retrofit to achieve acceptable performance.

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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