Summary: GAO reviewed the Navy's two-phased Naval Surface Fire Support program, focusing on: (1) the status of the Navy's near-term phase, consisting of a modified 5-inch gun, extended-range guided munition, and warfare control system; and (2) identifying issues surrounding the long-term phase, which is needed to address currently stated requirements.
GAO noted that: (1) the near-term phase of the Naval Surface Fire Support program is on schedule; (2) however, technical issues may delay achievement of operational capabilities scheduled for fiscal year 2001, the required date; (3) the full capabilities of the near-term program will not be available until the Naval Surface Fire Support warfare control system is defined and funded; (4) the near-term phase of the program is not expected, or designed, to fully meet surface fire support requirements recently established by the Marine Corps, but the long-term phase is intended to address them; (5) the long-term phase has not been fully defined; and (6) funding uncertainties exist for both the near- and long-term phases of the Naval Surface Fire Support program.
