F-22 Aircraft: Progress in Achieving Engineering and Manufacturing Development Goals
Published: 1998-03-10T00:00:00

Fast Facts:

Highlights:
section_title: Why GAO Did This Study
paragraphs: Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the Air Force's F-22 engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) program.
section_title: What GAO Found
paragraphs: GAO noted that: (1) the Air Force's estimate to complete F-22 EMD is $18.884 billion, $55 million less than the EMD cost limitation that will be adjusted to $18.939 billion; (2) however, the F-22 EMD program is not meeting schedule goals established in response to the Joint Estimating Team review; (3) the first flight of the F-22 was about 3 months late, issues have emerged concerning production and delivery of wings and fuselages for the EMD aircraft, and test schedules have consequently been delayed; (4) Lockheed Martin has indicated that negotiated costs should not be exceeded because of these issues; (5) the Air Force, however, is further assessing the impact of these issues on EMD cost, the schedule upon which test data is produced, and the schedule upon which the EMD program is to be completed; (6) the Air Force expects to complete this assessment at the end of February 1998; (7) the Air Force is estimating that the F-22 will meet or exceed its performance goals; (8) however, less flight test data have been accumulated through January 1998 than were expected because the beginning of the flight test program was delayed from May 1997 to September 1997 and flight tests have been suspended to accomplish planned ground tests and minor structural additions to the airframe; (9) flight testing will not resume until April 1998; and (10) delayed tests reduce the amount of actual F-22 performance information that will be available to support Air Force plans to begin production in fiscal year 1999.

section_title: Letter
paragraphs: As required by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998 (P. L. 105-85), we reviewed the Air Force’s F-22 engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) program. This report presents our conclusions regarding whether the EMD program is likely to be completed at a total cost that does not exceed the cost limitation established in the act. The report also discusses the extent to which the cost, schedule, and performance goals for the F-22 EMD program are being met and identifies contract modifications expected to have a significant effect on cost or performance of F-22 aircraft. The act requires us to certify whether we had access to sufficient information to make judgments on the matters covered by this report.
subsections: section_title: Background
paragraphs: The F-22 is an air superiority aircraft with the capability to deliver air-to-ground weapons. The most significant advanced technology features include supercruise, the ability to fly efficiently at supersonic speeds without using fuel-consuming afterburners; low observability to adversary systems; and integrated avionics to significantly improve the pilot’s situational awareness.
The objectives of the F-22 EMD program, begun in 1991, are to (1) design, fabricate, test, and deliver 9 F-22 flight test vehicles, 2 ground test articles, and 26 flight qualified engines; (2) design, fabricate, integrate, and test the avionics suite; and (3) design, develop, and test the F-22 system support and training systems.
In June 1996, because of indications of potential cost growth on the F-22 program, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition chartered a Joint Estimating Team (JET) consisting of personnel from the Air Force, the Department of Defense (DOD), and private industry. The objectives of the JET were to estimate the most probable cost of the F-22 program and to identify realistic initiatives that could be implemented to lower program costs. In January 1997, the JET estimated the F-22 EMD program would cost $18.688 billion, an increase of about $1.45 billion over the previous Air Force estimate. The JET also reported that additional time would be required to complete the EMD program and recommended changes to the EMD schedule.
The Air Force and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology adopted the JET’s recommendations, including its cost estimate for the EMD program. Other JET recommendations included slowing the manufacturing of the EMD aircraft to ensure an efficient transition from development to low-rate initial production and increasing the time available to develop and integrate avionics software. In August and September 1997, the Air Force negotiated changes with the prime contractors to more closely align the cost-plus-award-fee contracts with the JET cost estimate and revised schedule. However, as of January 1998, many substantial planned changes recommended by the JET had not been incorporated into the Lockheed Martin contract, such as changes to the avionics estimated to cost $221 million.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1998, enacted on November 18, 1997, imposed cost limitations of $18.688 billion on the F-22 EMD program and $43.4 billion on the production program. The limitation on production cost did not specify a quantity of aircraft to be procured. The act instructed the Secretary of the Air Force to adjust the cost limitations for (1) the amounts of increases or decreases in costs attributable to economic inflation after September 30, 1997, and (2) the amounts of increases or decreases in costs attributable to compliance with changes in federal, state, or local laws enacted after September 30, 1997.
Conferees for the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1998, enacted October 8, 1997, provided direction to the Secretary of the Air Force regarding out-of-production parts on the F-22 program. Because it is not economical for some component manufacturers to keep production lines open to produce old technology parts with low demand, they have discontinued making parts, some of which are used on the F-22 EMD aircraft, and will discontinue making others. To minimize cost and schedule impacts on the F-22 EMD and production programs, the Air Force plans to redesign these out-of-production parts or buy sufficient quantities of them for the first five lots of production aircraft. The appropriations conferees directed the Secretary of the Air Force to fund the cost of redesigning out-of-production parts from the Research, Development, Test and Evaluation appropriation. The effect of following that direction would be to add that effort, expected by the Air Force to cost $353 million, to the EMD program.
In January 1998, the Air Force notified the Congress that it increased the EMD cost limitation by $353 million, to respond to direction from the conferees, and decreased the production cost limitation by the same amount. As adjusted, the EMD cost limitation increased to $19.041 billion. In addition, the Air Force plans to adjust the cost limitation downward by $102 million to $18.939 billion, to recognize revisions to inflation assumptions by the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
section_title: Extent to Which the F-22 Program Is Meeting the Cost Goal for the EMD Program
paragraphs: In the fiscal year 1999 President’s budget, the Air Force’s estimate to complete the EMD program was $18.884 billion. The estimated cost to complete EMD includes the negotiated prices of the major prime contracts, estimated costs of significant planned contract modifications, other government costs, and a margin to accommodate future cost growth.
Although contractor reports through December 1997 project that the efforts on contract are expected to be completed within the negotiated contract prices, manufacturing problems with the wings and the aft fuselage could change those projections for Lockheed Martin.
subsections: section_title: Estimated Cost of EMD
paragraphs: The Air Force contracts with Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney, after being restructured, had negotiated prices of $16.003 billion. The Air Force, as of December 1997, planned to add modifications to the contracts totaling about $1.546 billion. The Air Force’s estimated costs for F-22 EMD are shown in table 1.
section_title: Modifications Planned to EMD Contracts
paragraphs: Air Force officials provided us a list of planned and budgeted modifications that will increase the contract prices. The list is consistent with the JET findings. Modifications planned relate to efforts directed by the conferees on the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1998, to redesign out-of-production parts ($353 million); award fees to be paid to the contractor based on evaluations of contractor performance ($262 million); extending the time period for F-22 testing ($230 million); addition of changes (Block IV) to the avionics, including interface capability with the newly developed AIM-9X air-to-air missile ($221 million); extending the time period for keeping an active laboratory infrastructure ($158 million); efforts to provide the capability to perform air combat simulation and ground testing of avionics prior to its delivery ($65 million); provision for contractor resources to conduct initial operational test and evaluation ($60 million); efforts to test and approve the F-22 for supersonic launch of external missiles ($51 million); implementation of aircraft battle damage repair capability ($29 million); and other changes ($117 million).
section_title: Limited Cost Experience Indicates Contract Cost Goals Are Being Met
paragraphs: Since the contracts were restructured in August and September 1997, limited experience has been accumulated to indicate the extent to which contractors are completing scheduled work at the planned cost. Contractor reports reflecting experience through December 1997, however, indicate the contractors are predicting they will be able to complete efforts now covered by the contract within the negotiated costs.
Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney report to the Air Force monthly concerning their progress compared to contract costs and schedules. These reports define the cost and schedule variances from the contract plans. When the contracts were restructured, the contractors rebaselined their cost control systems that measure the cost and schedule progress and calculate how the actual costs and schedules vary from the goals. Prior to restructuring the contracts, the Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney reports indicated unfavorable variances at completion of EMD totaling about $1.2 billion.
Both Pratt & Whitney and Lockheed Martin reports showed variances of less than 1 percent from the negotiated contract cost and planned schedule through December 1997. The most significant variance identified in the contractor reports was about a $54 million unfavorable schedule variance for Lockheed Martin. The contractors’ reports showed that the negotiated costs include about $194 million for management reserves. Management reserves are amounts set aside to react to cost increases due to unplanned efforts or cost growth in planned efforts. Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney December 1997 reports indicate they plan to complete the contract efforts within the negotiated costs. However, the impact of delays in the delivery of wing and aft fuselage assemblies and the flight test program have not been reflected in those reports. Lockheed Martin has advised the Air Force that it can execute the revised schedule caused by the late deliveries at no increased cost to the EMD contract. At the time of our review, the Air Force was assessing the impact of these delays and whether it agrees that the changes can be accomplished with no cost increase to the EMD contract.
section_title: Extent to Which the F-22 Program Is Meeting the Schedule Goals for the EMD Program
paragraphs: In January 1998, the F-22 program was not meeting its schedule goals. The first flight of an F-22 did not occur on time and resumption of its flight test program will be delayed by at least 2 to 3 weeks to correct a problem discovered in the horizontal tail of the aircraft. Also, the late delivery of aft fuselage assemblies and wing assemblies is expected to cause delays in delivery of other EMD aircraft. These problems will also delay the progress of the flight test program. The Air Force has revised its schedule to reflect the late first flight. However, it had not determined how the late deliveries of aft fuselage assemblies and wing assemblies will impact the overall F-22 EMD schedule. The Air Force planned to complete its evaluation of the impact on the schedule by the end of February 1998.
subsections: section_title: First F-22 Flight Over 3 Months Late
paragraphs: Because of a number of technical problems with the aircraft, the first flight of the first F-22 EMD aircraft was delayed over 3 months, until September 7, 1997. According to the Air Force, the problems were not caused by the design of the aircraft but involved a fuel tank leak, failure of an auxiliary power unit resulting from faulty installation, a software defect, incorrect installation of the electrical connector to a fuel tank probe, and foreign object damage from debris being ingested into an engine. After making two flights, the aircraft flight test program was suspended to accomplish planned ground tests and minor structural additions to the airframe. Resumption of the flight test program, planned for March 1998, is expected to be delayed until at least April 17, 1998, because materials in the horizontal tail of the aircraft became disbonded, or separated. Air Force officials said a solution to this problem has been identified and it will not impact other EMD aircraft schedules.
section_title: Impact of Late Aircraft Deliveries on Test Plans for Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999
paragraphs: The flight test schedule was updated in May 1997 based on the review of the program by the JET, with first flight planned to occur in late May 1997. However, because first flight did not occur as scheduled, the beginning of the flight test program was delayed. Flight tests are also expected to be delayed because of problems with manufacturing wings and aft fuselages and expected late delivery of the third through sixth EMD flight test aircraft.
Because of the delay in first flight and expected delays in delivery of several later EMD aircraft, a number of flight test hours planned for fiscal years 1998 and 1999 have been deferred until later in the test program. About 55 percent (120 of 217 hours) of the flight test hours planned for fiscal year 1998 and about 11 percent (51 of 449 hours) of the flight test hours planned for fiscal year 1999 have been deferred until later in the test program. Although test hours planned for the early stages of the flight test program are now planned to be accumulated more slowly, Air Force officials said the total number of flight test hours planned, the number of flight test months planned, and the completion date for the F-22 EMD program remain about the same.
section_title: Wings and Aft Fuselages Are Expected to Be Late for Most EMD Aircraft
paragraphs: Wing deliveries are behind schedule because of problems with the development and manufacturing of large titanium wing castings, the foundation upon which the wing is built. As of January 1998, the contractor and the Air Force were still working to resolve the casting problem. The wings for the next four flight test aircraft and the two ground test articles are expected to be delivered about 2 weeks to over  4 months late to Lockheed Martin.
Delivery of the F-22 aft fuselage—the rear aircraft body section—is expected to be late for the next four flight test aircraft and the two ground test articles because of late parts deliveries and difficulties with the welding process caused by tight tolerances when fitting the many pieces of the fuselage together. An Air Force and contractor team has been formed to evaluate potential cost, schedule, testing, and production impacts associated with this problem. This team plans to complete its assessment by the end of February 1998.
As a result of the late deliveries of the wings and aft fuselages, the first flights of the third through the sixth EMD aircraft are expected to be from about 2 weeks to over 5 months late. Air Force officials said first flight of the second EMD aircraft is expected to occur on schedule because the time available between production of the first and second EMD aircraft is expected to be sufficient to allow the manufacturing problems to be corrected. Since there was significantly less time scheduled between the second EMD aircraft and subsequent EMD aircraft, first flight of later EMD aircraft will be delayed. Table 2 compares the May 1997 scheduled first flights to the expected dates of first flights as of January 1998.
section_title: Extent to Which the F-22 Program Is Meeting the Performance Goals for the EMD Program
paragraphs: The Air Force estimates that the F-22 will meet or exceed the goals for the major performance parameters. These include 10 parameters for which the Air Force reports regularly to DOD, and two additional performance features GAO reviewed that relate to other critical characteristics of the F-22 aircraft. The Air Force estimates how performance is expected to compare to specific goals for each parameter by estimating and summarizing the performance of relevant subparameters. The estimates are engineering judgments based on computer and other models, tests of some components in flying test beds, ground tests, analyses, and, to a limited extent, flight tests. The goal for each parameter is based on the EMD contract specifications. Goals for the many subparameters (about 160) are established to ensure that the goal for each parameter can be met.
Although the Air Force has not included them in the 10 parameters for regular reporting, we identified and reviewed two additional features—situational awareness and low observability—that are an integral part of the F-22 being able to operate as intended. The F-22 sensors, advanced aircraft electronics, and cockpit display screens are required to provide the pilot improved situational awareness of potential enemy threats and targets. This increased awareness is to improve pilot response time to the threats, thus increasing the lethality and survivability of the aircraft. The aircraft’s low observable or “stealthy” features allow it to evade detection by enemy aircraft and surface-to-air missiles. We believe the situational awareness and low observability features are critical to the success of the F-22 program and, therefore, we reviewed them and are reporting on the Air Force’s progress in achieving them along with the 10 parameters the Air Force established. The Air Force’s  10 parameters and the 2 additional features we identified and reviewed are described in appendix I.
subsections: section_title: Air Force Estimates of F-22 Performance
paragraphs: As of January 1998, the Air Force estimated that, at the end of the EMD program, the F-22’s performance will meet or exceed the goals for all  10 established parameters. Table 3 shows the goal (contract specification) for each parameter; the estimated performance achieved for each parameter based on computer models, analyses, or testing; and the Air Force’s current estimate of the performance each parameter is expected to achieve by the end of EMD. Most of the goals and related performance information are classified and are therefore shown as percentages instead of actual numbers. To interpret the table, it is constructed so that estimated performance greater than the goal is better than the goal, except for airlift support where using fewer assets is better. Table 3 also shows the two additional features that we included (situational awareness and aircraft low observability) because of their importance to the success of the F-22 program.
section_title: Basis for Air Force Estimates
paragraphs: We evaluated the basis for the Air Force’s current performance estimates by reviewing and analyzing performance information and estimates for subparameters that are the components of each parameter. We reviewed selected analyses, test reports, and plans the Air Force used to formulate its estimated performance achieved to date and projected estimates for the end of EMD.
As of January 1998, estimated performance concerning two subparameters, aircraft weight and fuel usage, was not expected to achieve goals established for those subparameters. However, the Air Force’s analysis indicates that failure to achieve those goals will not cause the associated parameters to fail to meet their established goals. For example, aircraft empty weight is a subparameter that affects the supercruise, acceleration, maneuverability, and combat radius performance parameters. Although the aircraft’s empty weight is currently expected to be 2 percent higher than the established goal for that subparameter, Air Force analyses indicate that the increased weight is not significant enough to cause the estimates for the affected parameters to not meet their goals. A more extensive discussion of our analysis and a chart listing the major performance subparameters are included in appendix II.
section_title: Conclusion
paragraphs: The Air Force’s estimate to complete F-22 EMD is $18.884 billion, $55 million less than the EMD cost limitation that will be adjusted to $18.939 billion. However, issues have emerged concerning production and delivery of wings and fuselages for the EMD aircraft, and test schedules have consequently been delayed. The Air Force is further assessing the impact of these issues on EMD cost, the schedule upon which test data is produced, and the schedule upon which the EMD program is to be completed.
The Air Force is estimating that the F-22 will meet or exceed its performance goals. However, less flight test data have been accumulated through January 1998 than were expected because the flight test program was delayed and flight tests have been suspended to accomplish planned ground tests and minor structural additions to the test aircraft airframe. Delayed tests reduce the amount of actual F-22 performance information that will be available to support Air Force plans to begin production in fiscal year 1999.
section_title: Agency Comments
paragraphs: In commenting on a draft of this report, DOD generally concurred with it and advised us the Air Force has notified the Congress about changing the EMD and production cost limitations to recognize direction from the conferees on the fiscal year 1998 Defense Appropriations Act. As a result of this additional information, we have removed a matter for congressional consideration that had been included in the draft report. DOD’s comments are included in appendix III to this report.
We performed our review between July 1997 and February 1998 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. A description of our objectives, scope, and methodology is included in appendix II.
We are sending copies of this report to the Secretaries of Defense and the Air Force; the Director, Office of Management and Budget; and other interested parties.
Please contact me at (202) 512-4841 if you or your staff have any questions concerning this report. Major contributors to this report are listed in appendix IV.
section_title: Description of F-22 Performance Parameters
subsections: section_title: Supercruise
paragraphs: Supercruise means the aircraft can sustain supersonic or mach speed without using its afterburners. Supercruise saves fuel and helps reduce the aircraft’s infrared signature by not using afterburners that produce a high infrared signature. A reduced infrared signature, in turn, helps make the F-22 low observable and harder for enemy aircraft and missiles to detect. The measurement used for supercruise is the highest mach obtainable in a stable, level flight at 40,000 feet altitude.
The Air Force estimated the F-22 will exceed the supercruise goal by about 14 percent. This estimate was determined by analysis of computer models using the latest data available on aspects such as the engines’ thrust and fuel flow characteristics. Propulsion flight testing is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 1998 and end in the second quarter of 2000.
section_title: Acceleration
paragraphs: Acceleration is a key parameter because the F-22 must be able to outrun enemy aircraft and exit an area after it employs air-to-air or air-to-ground munitions. The acceleration parameter refers to the amount of time it takes the aircraft to go from 0.8 mach to 1.5 mach at 30,000 feet altitude.
The Air Force estimated that the F-22 will be faster than the acceleration goal. This estimate was determined by analysis of computer models and ground test data using the latest data available on the major subparameters affecting acceleration. Propulsion flight testing is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 1998 and end in the second quarter of 2000 and flight performance testing is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 1998 and end in the third quarter of 2001.
section_title: Maneuverability
paragraphs: The maneuverability parameter is a measurement of the maximum force the aircraft can generate during a turn at 0.9 mach at 30,000 feet altitude without losing speed or altitude. Many additional measures that relate to the maneuverability of an aircraft exist, but the Air Force has determined that this measurement is the most appropriate to demonstrate the general F-22 maneuverability at key flight conditions.
The Air Force estimated the F-22 will meet its maneuverability goal. The Air Force estimate was determined by analysis of computer models using the latest data available on the major subparameters affecting maneuverability. Flight performance testing is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 1998 and end in the third quarter of 2001.
section_title: Airlift Support
paragraphs: This parameter measures the number of C-141B transport aircraft equivalents required to deploy and maintain a squadron of 24 F-22 aircraft for 30 days without resupply. The goal is to be able to provide this support with eight C-141 equivalents, thereby reducing the assets needed to deploy and the cost of deployment.
The Air Force estimated it will require less than eight C-141 equivalents to transport a squadron of 24 F-22s. This estimate was based on a recent study. A mobility demonstration to verify the estimate, which cannot be done until a full squadron of 24 F-22 aircraft is activated, is scheduled for 2004 upon delivery of the 24th production aircraft. A squadron of 24 F-15s requires 19 C-141 equivalents.
section_title: Sortie Generation Rate
paragraphs: Sortie generation rate is defined as the average number of sorties or missions flown per aircraft per day for the first 6 days of a potential conflict. This parameter measures the degree to which the F-22 will be available during the first few days of a potential conflict to achieve and maintain air superiority.
The Air Force estimated the F-22 will exceed the sortie generation rate goal. This estimate was based on the results of a 6-day surge analysis done on a computer model using many statistics such as maintenance characteristics, support equipment and resource availability, and aircraft maintenance policy. F-22 maintainability demonstrations are scheduled to be accomplished by 2002 to verify the sortie generation rate estimates.
section_title: Radar Cross Section
paragraphs: The radar cross section (RCS) parameter essentially refers to how large the F-22 should appear to enemy radar. The smaller an aircraft’s RCS, the harder it is for enemy radar to detect and track. A small RCS, along with several other factors, contributes to an aircraft’s low observability or “stealthy” nature. This particular parameter is called front sector RCS, which means it is the RCS when the F-22 is viewed from the front by enemy radar. While there are over 200 F-22 RCS measurement points, the Air Force considers the front sector RCS the most important measure of the aircraft’s ability to avoid detection by an enemy.
The Air Force estimated the F-22’s front sector RCS will be smaller or better than its goal. Air Force RCS estimates were based on component models that predict the RCS of major components, such as engine inlets and wings, and then use this data to predict the RCS of an entire aircraft. There are 27 major subparameters of this RCS parameter. RCS design validation and specification compliance are also being conducted with a full-scale F-22 mounted on a pole enabling testers to take RCS measurements. This testing will continue into 1999. In-flight RCS measurements will begin in 1999 and continue into 2002.
section_title: Mean Time Between Maintenance
paragraphs: Mean time between maintenance is a measure of aircraft reliability defined as the total number of aircraft flight hours divided by the total number of aircraft maintenance actions in the same period. The F-22 goal is 3 flight hours between maintenance actions by the time the F-22 reaches system maturity.
The Air Force estimated that by the time the F-22 reaches system maturity (100,000 flight hours, or about year 2008), the F-22 will only require maintenance every 3.1 flight hours. A reliability computer model was used to develop this estimate by using factors like the design of systems on the aircraft and scheduled maintenance activities. Throughout development and operational flight testing, maintenance data is to be collected from the 500th through the 5,000th hour of flight testing to update the maintenance estimate. Data will continue to be collected about operational usage of the aircraft through system maturity to verify requirements.
section_title: Payload
paragraphs: The payload parameter is the number of air-to-air missiles, medium and short range, the F-22 is to carry when conducting an air superiority mission and not attacking enemy ground targets. Payload is a key parameter because the F-22 is designed to carry missiles in its internal weapons bay, not externally. Carrying weapons externally increases an aircraft’s radar cross section and can allow easier detection by enemy radar.
The Air Force estimated that the F-22 will meet the payload goal of carrying six AIM-120C medium-range missiles and two AIM-9X short-range missiles internally. Weapons bay testing is scheduled for mid-2000 to determine how well the missiles can exit the weapons bay when launched.
section_title: Combat Radius
paragraphs: The combat radius parameter refers to the nautical miles the F-22 is required to fly to achieve its primary mission of air superiority. This mission requires the F-22 to be able to fly a certain distance subsonically and a certain distance supersonically to achieve the mission.
The Air Force estimated the F-22 will exceed its combat radius goal by 23 percent. Unfavorable estimates for two of three major subparameters—fuel usage and aircraft weight—are not unfavorable enough to prevent the F-22 from meeting its combat radius goal. Performance flight testing to help compute the aircraft’s combat radius performance, as well as other aerodynamic capabilities, is scheduled to begin in late 1998 and end the third quarter of 2001.
section_title: Radar Detection Range
paragraphs: The radar detection range parameter refers to the number of nautical miles at which the F-22 radar should be able to detect enemy threats or potential targets. The radar needs to be able to detect enemy targets with small radar signatures at sufficient distance to ensure the F-22 can engage the enemy first.
The Air Force estimated that the F-22 radar will exceed the established radar goal by 17 percent. This estimate was based primarily on digital simulations and models used to develop confidence in the tactical functions of radar search and detection capabilities. Radar detection performance is scheduled to be verified against the simulations and models in an aviation electronics laboratory from the first quarter of 1998 to the third quarter of 1999. Actual flight testing of the radar in F-22 EMD aircraft is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 1999 and continue to at least the second quarter of 2001.
section_title: Situational Awareness
paragraphs: The situational awareness parameter refers to the extent the F-22 sensors and aviation electronics systems are able to make pilots aware of the situation around them. The planned integration of the many aviation electronics systems and sensors is meant to (1) minimize pilot workload of managing and interpreting sensors and (2) provide previously unmatched awareness of potential F-22 threats and targets.
Air Force data indicated the F-22 will meet the pilot situational awareness goal based on its performance estimates of the major aviation electronics subparameters affecting situational awareness including the radar system, the electronic warfare systems, and the communications, navigation, and identification systems. Sixty-three major aviation electronics functions contribute to these three major subparameters.
Development of the integrated aviation electronics, however, is in the early stages. For example, the Air Force provided us information on  10 major milestones that must be completed before integrated avionics development will be complete and the first milestone is not scheduled until October 1998. The last of these milestones is scheduled for November 2001.
section_title: Low Observability
paragraphs: The low observability parameter refers to the aircraft’s “stealthy” nature or ability to evade detection by enemy radar long enough for it to detect the enemy and shoot first. Five features of an aircraft contribute to its degree of low observability or “stealthiness” including radar cross section, infrared signature, electromagnetic signature, visual signature, and acoustic signature. However, the F-22 does not have a requirement for an acoustic signature.
Air Force information indicated it expects the F-22 to meet the performance goals established for the various aspects of low observability. Specification compliance on the most critical feature, radar cross section, is being checked with a full-scale F-22 mounted on a pole and will continue into 1999. In-flight radar cross section measurements will begin in 1999 and continue into 2002. Flight testing to help predict the F-22 infrared signature, another critical aspect of low observability, is scheduled for the third quarter of 1999.
section_title: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology
paragraphs: Our objective was to determine whether the F-22 EMD program can be completed within the cost limitation established by the Congress. We also reviewed the extent to which the F-22 EMD program was achieving cost, schedule, and performance goals, including major modifications.
To determine whether the program was expected to meet the cost limitation, we obtained the current cost estimate, which served as a basis for the fiscal year 1999 budget request. We compared that estimate to the estimate supporting the cost limitation and discussed the reasons for the differences with F-22 financial management officials. We made several analyses, including comparing the estimated cost at completion for the prime contracts with planned amounts, and evaluating cost variances identified in the earned value management system.
We obtained and reviewed information on the cost and schedule goals for the F-22 EMD program established by the JET during its review of the F-22 program. Since the JET did not revise F-22 performance requirements, we defined the performance goals as those performance requirements on contract at the time the JET reviewed the program. To assist us in determining the goals, we also reviewed overall program documents such as Selected Acquisition Reports, Monthly Acquisition Reports, Defense Acquisition Executive Summaries, Program Management Reviews, contracts with the prime contractors, Test and Evaluation Master Plans, and Program Management Directives.
To determine whether the program was expected to meet schedule goals, we obtained the current approved program schedule, which incorporated the latest restructured plans for the F-22 EMD program. We discussed the schedule and potential changes to it with F-22 program officials. We also reviewed the planned flight test schedule and the changes to it as a result of the late first flight of the first EMD aircraft. In addition, we discussed technical problems in assembling subsequent EMD aircraft. We evaluated schedule variances in the earned value management system and compared planned milestone accomplishment dates with actual dates of accomplishments. We also assessed the impact the late first flight may have on the overall EMD schedule.
To determine whether the program was expected to meet the F-22 performance goals, we analyzed information on the performance of key performance parameters and of those important subparameters that are measured. We compared the Air Force’s current estimate for these parameters to previous estimates to determine whether estimated performance had changed. We determined whether the current estimates were based on actual tests, engineering models, or engineering judgment. We discussed each of the key performance parameters with program officials and determined the basis for the current estimates. We also reviewed past program documentation to determine the basis for the required performance and discussed the reasons for differences between required performance and estimated performance.
To evaluate the bases for the Air Force’s current performance estimates, we collected information on the goals established for the major performance subparameters that are critical components of the performance parameters. We collected and analyzed information on Air Force estimates, as of January 1998, toward meeting the goals of these subparameters to determine whether the Air Force estimates seemed reasonable. For example, the major subparameters of the airlift support parameter are the number of aircraft support equipment items, the airlift loads necessary to transport aircraft support equipment items, and the maintenance manpower required for a squadron of F-22s. Each of these subparameters has a performance goal just as the overall parameter has a performance goal. The performance parameters and their associated major subparameters are shown in table II.1.
Number of support equipment items Airlift loads required to deploy support equipment Number of support equipment items (27 individual subparameters) (No subparameters)
To determine the status of contract modifications expected to have a significant effect on F-22 cost or performance, we reviewed the Air Force’s process for receiving, reviewing, approving, and monitoring engineering change proposals. We obtained a list of the proposals received and determined which had been approved. For those proposals that were approved, we reviewed the related documentation to determine their status and their estimated impact on aircraft performance and on the cost of the EMD program.
To be able to certify whether we had access to sufficient data to make informed judgments on the matters covered in our report, we maintained a log of our requests and the Air Force responses. We numbered and tracked each request we made for documents and for meetings to determine how long it took to receive responses from the Air Force. As a result of this tracking, we were able to certify that we had access to sufficient information to make informed judgements on the cost, schedule, and performance matters covered in this report.
section_title: Comments From the Department of Defense
paragraphs: The following is GAO’s comment on the Department of Defense’s letter dated February 12, 1998.
subsections: section_title: GAO Comment
paragraphs: 1. Our draft report was submitted to DOD for comment at about the same time as the Air Force notified the Congress that the EMD cost limitation was being increased and the production cost limitation was being decreased to recognize direction from the conferees on the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1998. Although direction from the conferees is technically not a change in federal, state, or local law defined as a criteria for changing the cost limitations, we believe the intent of the conferees’ direction is clear and that the types of adjustments the Air Force made to the cost limitations are appropriate.
section_title: Major Contributors to This Report
subsections: section_title: National Security and International Affairs Division, Washington, D.C.
section_title: Atlanta Field Office
section_title: Office of General Counsel, Washington, D.C.
section_title: Related GAO Products
paragraphs: Tactical Aircraft: Restructuring of the Air Force F-22 Fighter Program (GAO/NSIAD-97-156, June 4, 1997).
Defense Aircraft Investments: Major Program Commitments Based on Optimistic Budget Projections (GAO/T-NSIAD-97-103, Mar. 5, 1997).
F-22 Restructuring (GAO/NSIAD-97-100R, Feb. 28, 1997).
Tactical Aircraft: Concurrency in Development and Production of F-22 Aircraft Should Be Reduced (GAO/NSIAD-95-59, Apr. 19, 1995).
Air Force F-22 Embedded Computers (GAO/AIMD-94-177R, Sept. 20, 1994).
Tactical Aircraft: F-15 Replacement Issues (GAO/T-NSIAD-94-176, May 5, 1994).
Tactical Aircraft: F-15 Replacement Is Premature as Currently Planned (GAO/NSIAD-94-118, Mar. 25, 1994).
Aircraft Development: Reasons for Recent Cost Growth in the Advanced Tactical Fighter Program (GAO/NSIAD-91-138, Feb. 1, 1991).
Aircraft Development: Navy’s Participation in Air Force’s Advanced Tactical Fighter Program (GAO/NSIAD-90-54, Mar. 7, 1990).
Aircraft Development: The Advanced Tactical Fighter’s Costs, Schedule, and Performance Goals (GAO/NSIAD-88-76, Jan. 13, 1988).
Aircraft Procurement: Status and Cost of Air Force Fighter Procurement (GAO/NSIAD-87-121, Apr. 14, 1987).
DOD Acquisition: Case Study of the Air Force Advanced Tactical Fighter Program (GAO/NSIAD-86-45S-12, Aug. 25, 1986).
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