| Defense Acquisitions: Status of the Expeditionary Fire Support System |
21 DEC 2007 |
14 pages |
| Authors:
Paul L. Francis; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
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 | The EFSS met all of its key performance parameters and 13 of 14 critical requirements during the operational test. The only critical requirement not met was the mortars maximum rate of fire. The EFSS also experienced several safety, performance and reliability problems during testing, which led the test activity to conclude that the EFSS was operationally effective with limitations and operationally suitable with limitations. Testing identified " safety issues, including ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions: Realistic Business Cases Needed to Execute Navy Shipbuilding Programs |
24 JUL 2007 |
27 pages |
| Authors:
Paul L. Francis; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
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| The Navy is beset with long-standing problems that affect its ability to accomplish ambitious goals for its shipbuilding portfolio. Significant cost growth and long schedule delays are persistent problems. Making headway on these problems is essential in light of the serious budget pressures facing the nation. This testimony focuses on the following: (1) cost growth in shipbuilding; (2) acquisition approaches in the LPD 17, Littoral Combat Ship, DDG 1000, and ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions. Role of Lead Systems Integrator on Future Combat Systems Program Poses Oversight Challenges |
JUN 2007 |
43 pages |
| Authors:
Paul L. Francis; William R. Graveline; Noah B. Bleicher; Lily J. Chin; Brendan S. Culley; Michael D. O'Neill; Kenneth E. Patton; Thomas P. Twambly; GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON DC ACQUISITION AND SOURCING MANAGEMENT
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| The Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program features multiple new systems linked by a first-of-a-kind information network. The Army contracted with a lead systems integrator (LSI) for FCS that could serve in a more expansive role than a typical prime contractor would. In response to a congressional mandate, this report addresses (1) why the Army decided to employ an LSI for the FCS program; (2) the nature of the LSI's ... |
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| Missile Defense: Actions Needed to Improve Information for Supporting Future Key Decisions for Boost and Ascent Phase Elements |
APR 2007 |
40 pages |
| Authors:
Janet A. St. Laurent; Paul L. Francis; Barbara H. Haynes; Gwendolyn R. Jaffe; Brenda M. Waterfield; Todd Dice; Jeffrey R. Hubbard; Nabajyoti Barkakati; Hai V. Tran; Ron La Due Lake; Susan C. Ditto; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
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| The Department of Defense (DoD) has spent about $107 billion since the mid-1980s to develop a capability to destroy incoming ballistic missiles. DoD has set key decision points for deciding whether to further invest in capabilities to destroy missiles during the initial phases after launch. In March 2006, DoD issued a report on these capabilities in response to two mandates. To satisfy a direction from the House Appropriations Committee, GAO ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions. Future Combat System Risks Underscore the Importance of Oversight |
27 MAR 2007 |
18 pages |
| Authors:
Paul L. Francis; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
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| We look at a business case as comprising those elements that are key to making an acquisition likely to result in a product that performs as required for the time and money promised. A sound business case includes firm requirements; mature technologies; an acquisition strategy that demonstrates design and production maturity; and adequate funding to cover a realistic cost estimate. When FCS was approved to begin in May 2003, it ... |
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| Defense Acquisitions: Challenges Remain in Developing Capabilities for Naval Surface Fire Support |
NOV 2006 |
45 pages |
| Authors:
Paul L. Francis; Karen Zuckerstein; J. K. Keener; Christopher R. Durbin; Ryan Consaul; Lily Chin; GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE WASHINGTON DC
|
| Since the mid-1990s, the Navy and Marine Corps have studied ways to better protect landing forces. As new operational concepts evolved, the Marine Corps identified requirements for naval surface fire support and the Navy began developing two systems to meet these needs -- the Extended Range Munition for existing classes of ships and the future Zumwalt class guided missile destroyer. GAO was asked to address the following: (1) whether requirements ... |
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