Summary: Of the $6.2 billion the Army plans to spend on aviation modernization through fiscal year 1999, $4.7 billion is earmarked for two helicopter programs--the Comanche and the Longbow Apache. GAO found that these acquisitions are costly, face considerable technical risk, and may not deliver the promised enhanced capabilities. Moreover, major changes have occurred in the threat environment and in the force structure that could substantially change the number and mix of helicopters that the Army needs to buy. The Defense Department's (DOD) Bottom-Up Review used different total force structure and unit composition data than did the Army to determine the size of the Army's attack and reconnaissance fleet. The Army's estimates of the quantities of helicopters needed are higher than those subsequently identified by DOD. Therefore, the validity of the Army's aviation modernization strategy is questionable. Finally, DOD and Army studies have not fully considered alternative helicopters and weapon systems that could accomplish many of the planned roles and missions of the Comanche.
