Longbow Apache Helicopter - Key Factors Used to Measure Progress in Development Need to Be Changed: Nsiad-92-43 (Paperback)

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Army's acquisition plan for the Longbow Apache modernization program, focusing on whether the: (1) plan is designed to identify and correct potential problems before entering full-rate production; and (2) requirements used to evaluate the Longbow Apache will effectively measure its key performance capabilities. GAO found that: (1) as presently planned, the Longbow Apache schedule should allow for the orderly development of technology and provides decision points for assessing progress based on test information and other developments; (2) acquisition plan features intended to minimize risk and avoid past problems included minimal concurrency between development and production, better-quality and more frequent testing, a low-rate initial production phase, and a program baseline and exit criteria to help assess the program's progression; (3) although the Army established more comprehensive reliability requirements for the Longbow section of the Longbow Apache, it did not include those measures in the requirements document or program baseline for the integrated aircraft; (4) Army plans to use outdated and narrowly defined requirements to measure the Longbow Apache's reliability, availability, and maintainability could yield a technologically enhanced helicopter that is not adequately supported in the field; and (5) if the Army continues to use this flawed measure, it may not be prepared to keep pace with the Longbow Apache's maintenance work load because it will not have enough maintenance personnel.