| Description |
1 online resource (ii, 48 p.) : ill. |
|
"March 2010." |
| Note |
Title from cover screen (GAO, viewed Mar. 22, 2010). |
| Summary |
The F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), is the Department of Defense's (DOD) most costly and ambitious aircraft acquisition, seeking to simultaneously develop and field three aircraft variants for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and eight international partners. The JSF is critical for recapitalizing tactical air forces and will require a long-term commitment to very large annual funding outlays. The current estimated investment is $323 billion to develop and procure 2,457 aircraft. As required by law, this report discusses (1) program cost, schedule, and performance; (2) manufacturing results; and (3) test plans and progress. GAO's work includes interviews, cost data, test plans, production measures, and analyses by defense and contractor officials. GAO recommends that DOD (1) make a new, comprehensive, and independent assessment of the costs and schedule to complete the program, including military construction, JSF-related expenses in other budgets, and life-cycle costs; and (2) reassess warfighter requirements and, if necessary, defer some capabilities to future increments. GAO also suggests that Congress consider requiring DOD to establish a management tool to help Congress better measure the program's progress in maturing the weapon system in a variety of areas to include cost estimating, testing, and manufacturing. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references. |
| Note |
"GAO-10-382." |
| Subject |
United States. Department of Defense -- Appropriations and expenditures -- Evaluation.
|
|
United States. Department of Defense -- Procurement -- Management.
|
|
Airplanes, Military -- United States -- Costs.
|
|
Fighter planes -- United States -- Costs.
|
|
Joint strike fighter -- Costs.
|
| Added Author |
Sullivan, Michael J.
|
| Added Title |
Additional costs and delays risk not meeting warfighter requirements on time |
| Gpo Item No. |
0546-D (online) |
| Sudoc No. |
GA 1.13:GAO-10-382 |
|
