Summary: Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed selected Army fire support command and control efforts, specifically to: (1) obtain the projected cost and completion date of the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System's (AFATDS) concept evaluation phase contract; (2) identify any changes in contract scope and their impact on system capabilities; and (3) determine if the Light Field Artillery Data System (LFATDS) meets light division needs and requirements.
GAO found that: (1) the AFATDS contract cost was set at $45.8 million, with the government's share capped at $35.6 million; (2) although the October 1989 AFATDS initial operational capability date has not changed, interim milestone dates were delayed by 3 months; (3) the AFATDS contractor experienced problems in the integration of the Communication Control System's software; (4) although the Army reduced the AFATDS contract scope, it believes it can satisfactorily perform the concept evaluation; and (5) the Army decided not to procure LFATDS because of funding limitations.
