DOD Weapon Systems Acquisition

This information appears as published in the 2013 High Risk Report.

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Congress and the Department of Defense (DOD) have long explored ways to improve the acquisition of major weapon systems, yet many DOD programs are still falling short of cost and schedule expectations. The results are unanticipated cost overruns, reduced buying power, and in some cases a reduction in the capability ultimately delivered to the warfighter. Over the next 5 years, DOD expects to invest more than $300 billion (fiscal year 2013 dollars) on the development and procurement of major defense acquisition programs. With the prospect of slowly growing or flat defense budgets for years to come, DOD must get better returns on its weapon system investments and find ways to deliver capability to the warfighter for less than it has in the past. GAO added this area to its High Risk List in 1990.

This information comes from GAO's 2013 High Risk Report. This report is updated every two years, at the start of each new Congress.