Electronic Warfare

DOD Should Select Most Cost-Effective Infrared Countermeasure System Gao ID: NSIAD-98-2 April 28, 1998

To better protect U.S. aircraft from infrared guided missiles, the military is seeking to acquire two active countermeasure systems, including one being jointly developed with the British. GAO found that the Defense Department may be able to realize sizeable savings by procuring only the more cost-effective of the two systems.

GAO noted that: (1) DOD may be able to achieve sizable savings by procuring, supporting, and maintaining only one active infrared countermeasure system to protect its aircraft from infrared guided missiles; (2) despite congressional emphasis on, and DOD's stated commitment to, commonality, SOCOM and the Army are acquiring two separate countermeasure systems that eventually will have the same laser effect technology; (3) DOD should determine which system is more cost-effective and procure that one to protect its aircraft; (4) if DIRCM is determined to be more cost-effective, the ATIRCM program should be terminated; and (5) if ATIRCM is determined to be more cost-effective, no additional DIRCM systems should be procured beyond those planned to be procured in July 1998 to meet SOCOM's urgent need.

Recommendations

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