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C-MASAD-83-14 1 (1983-03-15)

handle is hein.gao/gaobabmwl0001 and id is 1 raw text is: This is an unclassified digest furnished in lieu of a report containing Classified security information. REPORT BY THE COMPTROLLER GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES ACQUISITION OF THE OVER-THE-HORIZON BACKSCATTER RADAR SYSTEM SHOULD BE REEVALUATED DIGEST The Over-the-Horizon Backscatter (OTH-B) radar system is to provide a long-range tactical warning capability to help counter a threat of a Soviet precursor bomber attack on the con- tinental United States. Acquisition costs are estimated to be almost $1 billion for east and west coast OTH-B facilities, each including three radar sectors, and about $1.3 billion if a third facility is added. These figures include a provision for inflation to the end of the acquisition. (See pp. 1 and 5 .) PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT The OTH-B program was started in 1970. In 1975 a contract for a prototype system was awarded, but this system experienced cost, schedule, and technical problems. In 1977 the program was restructured and an experimental radar system was built to demonstrate technical feasibility rather than function as an opera- tional prototype system. Initial testing of the experimental system, however, showed that the radar would not meet performance require- ments for an operational system. These requirements were later revised and the Air Force has continued into full-scale develop- ment. (See pp. 2 and 6 through 9.) The Air Force plans to begin production of the OTH-B radar system before development is com- pleted. Initial development testing is not planned to begin until production is far advanced. Cost, schedule, and technical risks associated with the current program are assessed by the Air Force as low to moderate. Schedule slippages, as well as cost increases, may occur because operational testing of the system will not begin until all of the east coast facility and much of the west coast GAO/C-MASAD- 83-14 MARCH 15, 1983 UC>(24 ? 120832