Our objectives were to determine whether (1) the Army’s plan for modernizing its aviation fleet is still valid, (2) there are alternative aircraft systems to the ones the Army plans to acquire, and (3) the Army’s funding plans include all of the helicopter systems that it says it needs. Validity of the Army’s Aviation Modernization Strategy Is Now Questionable

The validity of the Army’s aviation modernization strategy is now questionable. In addition, the Army overstated expected benefits and understated technical risks associated with the Comanche and the Longbow Apache programs that represent the bulk of its modernization strategy. While the Army believes that it can accomplish its modernization objectives, some users are concerned that their needs may not have adequately been considered and that implementation of the current procurement plan could result in an inappropriate mix and quantity of helicopters and, therefore, adversely impact operational effectiveness. For its aviation modernization strategy, the Army has chosen to use most of its available resources to procure the Comanche helicopter and upgrade the Apache helicopter and defer or cancel funding of other Army helicopter programs. In addition to predicted future funding shortfalls, the Army is already faced with a funding shortfall in the Comanche program of about $540 million and, therefore, wants to “streamline” the Comanche acquisition program.
Why GAO Did This Study

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed whether: (1) the Army's plan for modernizing its aviation fleet is still valid; (2) there are alternative aircraft systems to the ones the Army plans to acquire; and (3) the Army's funding plans will meet all of its modernization requirements.

What GAO Found

GAO found that: (1) the validity of the Army's aviation modernization strategy is questionable; (2) the Army has overstated expected benefits and has understated the technical risks associated with the major systems that comprise its modernization strategy; (3) some Army personnel are concerned that the current procurement plan could result in an inappropriate mix of helicopters and adversely impact their operational effectiveness; (4) the Army has not fully considered alternative helicopters and weapon systems that could accomplish many of the planned roles and missions of the Comanche helicopter; (5) the Army plans to use most of its available resources to procure Comanche helicopters and upgrade Apache helicopters while deferring or cancelling funding of other Army helicopter modernization programs; (6) the Army's Comanche program will be short about $540 million through fiscal year 2004; and (7) to address the shortfall in Comanche funding, the Army plans to streamline the developmental stages of the Comanche program, thereby increasing the risks associated with entering production before the aircraft has been tested and shown to meet specifications.