Summary: Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Air Force's funding requirements for fiscal year (FY) 1990 and FY 1991 for the Minuteman weapon system, focusing on opportunities for budget reductions associated with the anticipated retirement of the Minuteman II missile force.
GAO found that: (1) the retirement of Minuteman II would create potential missile procurement budget reductions totalling $65.2 million, primarily based on funding adjustments in anticipation of the missile's retirement; (2) the Minuteman II force consisted of 450 single-warhead intercontinental ballistic missiles; (3) in fiscal year 1990, the Air Force procured $50.7 million worth of Minuteman replacement equipment; (4) in FY 1990, the Air Force procured $85.3 million worth of Minuteman replenishment spares; (5) excess fiscal year 1990 funding requirements totalled $15.7 million due to cancellations and modifications of some programs; (6) Air Force officials believed that the potential retirement of Minuteman II reduced the need for replacement equipment funding; (7) the Air Force planned to implement a new management concept for replenishment spares that could further reduce funding requirements by approximately $26.4 million for FY 1991; (8) potential operations and maintenance budget reductions for central supply and maintenance totalled $30.5 million; and (9) the Air Force planned to begin a program to refurbish the Minuteman II motor in FY 1990.
