1). The Joint Tactical UAV program was restructured in fiscal year 1996. However, DOD is not applying these lessons to the Outrider ACTD. Nevertheless, DOD awarded a contract for seven Hunter systems. Outrider May Not Satisfy User Needs

The Outrider system may not satisfy user needs unless problems associated with meeting joint requirements are resolved and interoperability with other DOD systems can be achieved. Recommendation

Because DOD’s strategy for acquiring the nondevelopmental Outrider system will not provide assurance of successful performance and interoperability before DOD’s planned low-rate production decision, and to avoid repeating the mistakes of prior UAV programs, we recommend that the Secretary of Defense delay low-rate production of the Outrider system until the results of operational testing of available systems demonstrate it is potentially operationally effective and operationally suitable for all intended users. Scope and Methodology

To determine whether DOD is applying lessons learned from prior UAV lessons learned to this program, and whether the Outrider would meet user needs, we reviewed program plans, test schedules, performance documents, and other records relating to the Outrider ACTD and examined DOD guidance related to systems acquisition, acquisition streamlining and reform, and ACTDs. GAO Comments

1. We understand that the purpose of the Outrider Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) is to assess the utility of the Outrider system and note that DOD is acquiring 6 Outrider systems with 24 air vehicles under the original ACTD contract. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Why GAO Did This Study

GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) acquisition of the Outrider, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, through a streamlined acquisition process known as the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD), focusing on whether: (1) DOD is applying lessons learned from prior UAV programs to the Outrider; and (2) the Outrider is likely to meet user needs.

What GAO Found

GAO noted that: (1) DOD is not applying lessons learned from prior UAV programs to the Outrider ACTD; (2) for example, despite problems with the Pioneer and Hunter stemming from DOD's decision to award further production contracts without conducting operational testing or demonstrating that the system is user-supportable, DOD is pursuing the same strategy for the Outrider; (3) in addition, DOD has underestimated, as it did for the Pioneer and Hunter programs, the time and effort necessary to integrate nondevelopmental items into Outrider; (4) moreover, the Outrider system may not satisfy user needs unless problems associated with meeting joint requirements are resolved and interoperability with other DOD systems is ensured; and (5) consequently, DOD will not have assurance that the Outrider will meet user needs by the time of the planned fiscal year 1998 low-rate production decision.