美國의 차기 전자전 체계 개발 관련 GAO 평가 보고서

 

GAO-12-175.pdf

 

 

 

GAO: DoD Processes Hamper Airborne Electronic Attack

Defense Daily    04/03/2012

Author: Pat Host

 

Defense Department progress in acquiring new airborne electronic attack systems is impeded by developmental and production challenges, and certain systems may have overlapping capabilities because of DoD’s “fragmented” urgent operational needs processes, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

 

The report, Airborne Electronic Attack (GAO-12-175), recommends DoD “conduct program reviews for certain new and key systems to assess cost, schedule and performance as well as determine the extent to which the most pressing capability gaps can be met and take steps to fill them.” It also suggests DoD “align service investments in science and technology with the department-wide electronic warfare priority and review capabilities provided by certain planned and existing systems to ensure investments don’t overlap.”

 

The report, released Thursday, found that DoD is investing in new airborne electronic attack systems, such as traditional fixed-wing aircraft, low-observable aircraft, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and related mission systems and weapons. But acquisition of those investments is being slowed by developmental and production challenges, most significantly, entering--or being on track to enter--production before completing key development activities, including achievement of stable designs, according to the report.

 

GAO found an additional challenge of programs proceeding through product development with “lower-than-desired” levels of knowledge, causing “significant growth, fielding delays or both.”

 

“Our previous work has shown that good acquisition outcomes are achieved through the knowledge-based approach to product development that demonstrates high levels of knowledge before significant commitments are made,” the report said. “In essence, knowledge supplants risk over time.”

 

The report said DoD’s “fragmented” urgent operational needs processes may contribute to overlapping capabilities. GAO cited separate Marine Corps, Army and Air Force investments in unique systems that perform similar jamming missions. The services have an opportunity to correct these overlaps with the drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan, but a lack of “designated, joint leadership” charged with overseeing electronic warfare acquisition undermine this opportunity, GAO said.

 

GAO’s examples of airborne electronic attack systems acquisitions progressing well include the Navy’s EA-18G Growler jamming aircraft, produced by Boeing [BA], and the Air Force’s EC-130H Compass Call jammer aircraft, produced by Lockheed Martin [LMT].

 

But certain programs have not progressed as smoothly due to “lower-than-desired” levels of knowledge, according to the report. Some of these programs include the Raytheon [RTN]-built Miniature Air Launched Decoy (MALD) missile and the Navy’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Munition (AARGM), developed by ATK [ATK].

 

GAO said Air Force officials’ fear of a potentially pricey break in production coupled with testing failures have hampered the progress of the MALD. GAO also said testing failures and “virtually no margin” for accommodating technical deficiencies have slowed acquisition of the AARGM.

 

The report said DoD is investing in science and technology fields such as sensors, apetures, power amplifiers and UAS technology as a long-term approach to addressing capability gaps, but since service components categorize research investments differently, this complicates coordination efforts, according to GAO.

 

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GAO-12-175.pdf

2.58MB