Defense acquisitions
Subtitle: Navy faces challenges constructing the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford within budget : report to the Ranking Minority Member, Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives.
Contributors: United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services. Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee.
Publisher: U.S. Govt. Accountability Office
Published: 2007
Place of publication: [Washington, D.C.]
Language: eng
Number of pages: 52
Subjects: United States. -- Navy -- Procurement; United States. -- Navy -- Appropriations and expenditures; Aircraft carriers -- Cost control
Other titles: Navy faces challenges constructing the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford within budget
Description: As a result of a substantial investment of time and money, the Navy has reduced the risks associated with a number of essential technologies, including the nuclear propulsion and electric plant. At this time, several technical risks that could lead to increased construction costs and potentially result in capability reductions still remain. In particular, the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), the advanced arresting gear, and the dual band radar face key tests with little margin for resolving problems before they begin to disrupt the optimal CVN 78 construction schedule and increase ship costs. If key systems arrive late, more labor cost may be incurred because of inefficient work-arounds and schedule delays. EMALS and the advanced arresting gear are vital to meeting key capabilities and must be delivered to the shipyard on time to maintain the construction schedule. The dual band radar enables a smaller island structure on the deck of the carrier, facilitating the ship's increased sortie generation rate. All three systems have experienced schedule delays because of technical and other challenges.
Notes: "August 2007."

Cover title.

"GAO-07-866."

Includes bibliographical references.

Also available via the World Wide Web.