Summary: Between November 1990 and May 1991, the Navy assessed the AN/BSY-1 combat system, which is meant to assist in combat operations in antisubmarine, antisurface, strike, mine, and other warfare missions. Although GAO does not disagree with the resulting recommendation that AN/BSY-1 be approved for fleet use, it does note that two AN/BSY-1 critical operational issues--reliability and maintainability--were unsatisfactory and that limitations resulted in incomplete demonstration of two critical operational issues--weapon deployment and navigation--and unrealistic operational testing. GAO could not reach a conclusion on the independence of the operational evaluation. Records show that AN/BSY-1 program and contractor personnel were on board the submarine on days when it was being tested. The Navy could furnish no documentation that these personnel left the submarine before AN/BSY-1 operational evaluation began. On the basis of limited observations, the Navy determined that the AN/BSY-1 operational evaluation was adequate. Because the number of required on-site visits has yet to be established, however, GAO could not assess how effectively the Navy carried out its responsibilities.
