In less than 3 years, costs of the program to improve the Army's scout helicopter have gone from an initial estimate of $1.3 billion to $2.7 billion. The latest estimate would permit procuring only 578 helicopters instead of the original 720. Additional cost increases can be anticipated. Since the helicopter's configuration had not been fully defined when the initial cost estimate was prepared, Defense officials maintain that the initial estimate should not be given too much credence. GAO considers the initial cost estimate, which prompted congressional approval, particularly significant given the repeated congressional objections to the high cost of earlier scout helicopter starts. The Army's ability to contain further cost growth will likely determine the program's future.
Army Helicopter Improvement Program's Future May Depend on Success in Controlling Cost
1983
19 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch