The Army planned to acquire 288 of the CHS computers in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 to support the MCS training base, and has already acquired 81. Development Problems Continue

Since its reorganization in 1993, MCS program experience indicates continuing problems in the system’s development. Specifically, (1) the MCS initial operational test and evaluation of version 12.01 has slipped twice, (2) interim developmental level tests and a customer test done to support a decision to award a contract to develop follow-on software show that significant problems continue, and (3) development of follow-on version 12.1 was begun despite the results of the customer test and prior program history. In September 1996, the Army awarded a contract for the development of MCS software versions 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3 to a different contractor than the developers of MCS version 12.01. However, the contract was awarded before the initial operational test, and the planned 5 month concurrency in the development of versions 12.01 and 12.1 became 18 months when the operational test slipped to March 1998. Instead, it should be viewed as a new effort. MCS program officials said that the computers are needed in the MCS training base before operational testing to adequately support future fielding of MCS and the larger Army Battle Command System, of which the Army Tactical Command and Control System and MCS are key components. Given the program’s prior history and the fact that the training base computers are not needed to satisfy any of the legislated reasons for low-rate initial production, we continue to believe that the Army should not be allowed to buy those computers until MCS has successfully completed its initial operational test and evaluation—the original plan prior to the MCS initial operational test and evaluation’s multiple schedule slips. 2.
Why GAO Did This Study

GAO reviewed the Army's developmental and acquisition plans for the Maneuver Control System (MCS), focusing on whether: (1) the current MCS software development strategy is appropriate to overcome prior development problems; and (2) 207 new computers for MCS-related training should be procured as planned.

What GAO Found

GAO noted that: (1) since its 1993 reorganization, the MCS has continued to experience development problems; (2) the initial operational test and evaluation of version 12.01 software has slipped 28 months, from November 1995 to March 1998, and interim tests have shown that significant software problems continue; (3) despite these problems, the Army awarded a contract in September 1996 for the concurrent development of the next software versions--12.1, 12.2, and 12.3--which are being developed by a new contractor and may involve substantially different software; (4) if the Army's current development strategy for the MCS is not strengthened, development problems may continue to occur; (5) currently, the Army's strategy allows: (a) less than full operational testing of version 12.1; and (b) development of follow-on versions 12.2 and 12.3 to start about 18 months before the operational testing of each version's predecessor; (6) despite the fact that the MCS has yet to undergo an initial operational test and evaluation or be approved for production, the Army plans to acquire 207 computers in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 to increase the number of computers available for system training; (7) program officials stated that they need to acquire the computers before operational testing to provide not only MCS specific training but also training for the larger Army Battle Command System, of which the Army Tactical Command and Control System and the MCS are major components; and (8) the 207 computers, however, are not needed to satisfy any of the three legislated reasons for low-rate initial production before an initial operational test and evaluation.