Menu Search Account

LegiStorm

Get LegiStorm App Visit Product Demo Website
» Get LegiStorm App
» Get LegiStorm Pro Free Demo

National Missile Defense: Schedule and Technical Risks Represent Significant Development Challenges

  Premium   Download PDF Now (19 pages)
Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date Dec. 12, 1997
Report No. NSIAD-98-28
Subject
Summary:

The Defense Department (DOD) plans to ask for an additional $2.3 billion for the national missile defense program, which is intended to shield the United States from ballistic missile attacks. However, DOD's plan to develop the national missile defense program in only six years--about half as long as it has taken to deploy other U.S.-based ballistic missile defense systems--is fraught with risks, including possible schedule slippages and technical problems stemming from limited testing. Schedule risk is high because DOD will need to complete many activities in a relatively short period of time. Moreover, the compressed development schedule allows only limited testing. If later tests reveal problems, costly redesign or modifications of already produced hardware may be required.

« Return to search Government Accountability Office reports