GAO Report: DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS - Issues to be Considered for Army's Modernization of Combat Systems

GAO Report: DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS - Issues to be Considered for Army's Modernization of Combat Systems
June 16, 2009

Highlights of GAO-09-793T,T a report to Subcommittee on Airland, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate

Why GAO Did This Study
Future Combat System (FCS) has been at the center of the Army’s efforts to become a lighter, more agile, and more capable combat force by replacing existing combat systems with a family of manned and unmanned vehicles and systems, linked by an advanced information network. To meet the challenges of FCS’s scope and schedule, the Army contracted with Boeing to be lead systems integrator (LSI), to help define, develop, and integrate FCS systems.

Earlier this year, the Secretary of Defense proposed restructuring FCS to lower risk and address more near-term needs, shortly before FCS was to undergo a congressionally-mandated review to determine its future. The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Army have already begun to make programmatic and budgetary adjustments to FCS. This statement reviews aspects of FCS that should be considered for inclusion in future efforts, aspects that were problematic and need re- examination, and considerations for shaping future Army ground force modernization.
The testimony is drawn from GAO’s body of work on FCS management and acquisition strategy, including knowledge gaps, cost, affordability, oversight, and the Army/LSI relationship. GAO has made numerous recommendations aimed at managing FCS risks, but it is not making any new recommendations in this testimony.

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Future Combat System (FCS), GAO, US Army