Tactical Computers: Army's Maneuver Control System Acquisition Plan Is Not Cost-Effective

Citation
General Accounting Office, Tactical Computers: Army's Maneuver Control System Acquisition Plan Is Not Cost-Effective (IMTEC-86-26BR; B-223144) (Sept. 3, 1986) (full-text).

Overview
In response to a congressional request, the GAO reviewed the Army Command and Control System (ACCS) program and analyzed its computer equipment procurement and distribution plan for the Maneuver Control System (MCS), specifically: (1) the status of the MCS program; and (2) the plan's compliance with congressional guidance and its cost-effectiveness.

The GAO found that the Army's plan for the MCS program does not comply with congressional guidance because it: (1) provides for equipping 17 active divisions, rather than 11, with militarized equipment; (2) calls for completing acquisition of ruggedized equipment in fiscal year (FY) 1988 instead of FY 1987; and (3) does not establish an aggressive test and evaluation program.

The GAO also found that the Army: (1) overstates costs for interim MCS equipment; (2) plans to replace the interim equipment soon after its deployment, which is not cost-effective; (3) expects to field interim MCS equipment with its active forces during FY 1988 and 1989 and to replace it with new equipment from FY 1990 through FY 1995; and (4) has not developed a final schedule for replacing interim equipment.