Javelin’s Design May Not Be Stable

The Army has not demonstrated that Javelin’s design is sufficiently stable for a multiyear production contract. Operational Testing of Javelin Is Inadequate

Even though it is making over 50 separate changes to Javelin’s original design, the Army does not plan to conduct any operational tests of missiles with all of the design changes until after full-rate production begins under a multiyear contract. Therefore, we recommend that the Secretary of Defense direct the Army to (1) award annual (vice multiyear) Javelin contracts for the minimum quantity needed to sustain production until the Army demonstrates that the system’s design is stable, (2) operationally test the redesigned Javelin before proceeding to full-rate production, and (3) modify the third low-rate production contract to reduce command launch unit production from 125 to the contractor’s minimum production level of 3 units per month or  36 total units. To determine the adequacy of planned system testing, we obtained and reviewed test plans and reports from the Javelin Project Office. GAO Comments

1. 2. Javelin’s design has been in transition since it was operationally tested in 1993. 4.
Why GAO Did This Study

GAO reviewed the Army's procurement of the Javelin missile system, focusing on whether the: (1) system meets established criteria for multiyear production contracts; (2) Army adequately tested the system to determine its suitability for full-rate production; and (3) Army's purchase of command launch units during limited production is appropriate.

What GAO Found

GAO found that the Army: (1) has not demonstrated that the Javelin's design is sufficiently stable for multiyear production; (2) does not plan to conduct operational testing of the missile until after full-rate production begins; (3) has extensively redesigned the system since it was operationally tested in 1993; (4) believes that its planned testing of the system will be adequate; (5) has conducted only limited testing, which may not be useful for predicting the system's reliability; and (6) could acquire fewer units under its low-rate initial production contract and still sustain the contractor's ability to produce the system.