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MASAD-81-29 1 (1981-05-15)

handle is hein.gao/gaobabbxw0001 and id is 1 raw text is: COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES WASHINGTON O-Q sa B-203043 MAY 15, 1981 The Honorable Caspar W. Weinberger The Secretary of Defense Attention: Assistant for Audit Reports 115243 Dear Mr. Secretary: Subject: Improving the Weapon Systems Acquisition Process MASAD-81-29) We are pleased to note the initiatives you and Deputy Secretary Frank Carlucci have taken-in your efforts to improve the weapon systems acquisition process. In his March 2, 1981, memorandum to the military secretaries and others, Mr. Carlucci included a list of concerns that the Steering Group he appointed was to address. We believe it may be helpful to you to have our views on some of these concerns to consider along with the suggestions you received from the Steering group and others you have solicited. In general, these represent opinions which are based on the many reviews we have made of acquisition programs over the past several years. We rec- ognize that these are not necessarily the only approaches that might be taken to improve the acquisition process. LOWERING WEAPON SYSTEM COSTS The Deputy Secretary's memorandum expresses concern that evolutionary product improvement of existing hardware is not receiving its due in the Department of Defense's consideration of how to develop greater capability to meet new needs. From what we have seen, there have been occasional instances of the military improving its weapon systems for extended periods through modification programs. Examples are the F-4, the B-52, and the HAWK missile. If the services are to be faulted, it is because, in establishing the needs for a new system, they fre- quently set their performance requirements higher than necessary, in effect, guaranteeing that existing systems, even with improve- ments, cannot compete with new concepts. These requirements are often driven by a desire to take full advantage of advances in technology more than by actual need. More critical analysis of proposed requirements before they are approved may help keep per- formance at an affordable and achievable range and also, give existing systems a better chance to compete. 6/ 54

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