GAO calls for MDA to change cost estimates
THAAD was among the MDA programmes analysed in the latest GAO report. (Photo: MDA)
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended changes to programmes run by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) in a report released on 2 February.
The document pointed out that the MDA's cost estimates for these systems are incomplete and do not include programmes’ full life cycles. Nor does the MDA regularly update flight test price estimates with actual costs.
As a result, the GAO argued, Congress has only limited insight into MDA spending and annual budget requests.
In order to improve this process, the report made six recommendations to MDA. For example, the GAO called for all programmes with a designated lead military service to be covered by a dedicated Joint Cost Estimate (JCE) or a system-level JCE that is promptly updated with any new costs.
Another recommendation was updating relevant policies and processes to require a comparison against the original programme cost baseline in each iteration of the agency's baseline reporting.
The GAO also called for the MDA to update relevant policies and processes to track each system's costs — the combined total of all programmes that comprise the system — in its annual baseline reporting.
Since 2002, the Missile Defense Agency has received more than $174 billion to develop systems that detect, track and defeat enemy missiles.
Among these systems are the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system and the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS).
More from Defence Notes
-
Teledyne FLIR launches multi-spectral surveillance systems
The new sensors can conduct a variety of maritime and land-based operations.
-
UK and India to forge closer defence technology ties
The UK and India are stepping up defence ties across several areas.
-
Sound and fury from Russia as super-heavy Sarmat far from ready
For all the bombastic talk from Russian President about the hitting power of the new RS-28 Sarmat 'super heavy' ICBM, observers are highly sceptical that it will enter service in 2023 as claimed.
-
Rheinmetall eyes Hungarian digitalisation with JV
Rheinmetall is setting up a JV with Hungarian partners to drive armed forces digitalisation in Hungary.
-
Should the US reassess its defence strategy?
Even though the US has a powerful arsenal and an extensive defence budget, it has been unable to prevent the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has failed to deter China’s growing territorial and maritime ambitions.