Precision-Guided Munitions: Acquisition Plans for the Joint Air-To-Surface Standoff Missile: Nsiad-96-144 (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781289259686)

GAO evaluated the Air Force's and Navy's Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) program, focusing on: (1) the acquisition process; (2) schedule and cost risks; (3) the Air Force's plan to acquire 35 pilot production missiles; and (4) the Navy's commitment to the program.
GAO found that: (1) the Air Force is using an innovative acquisition process to procure JASSM; (2) the Air Force expects JASSM contractors to modify existing missile designs, use off-the-shelf technology, and apply best commercial practices to their design and production work; (3) some crucial JASSM technologies may not be mature in time for them to be integrated into JASSM; (4) JASSM may be vulnerable to jamming, and the Air Force is trying to identify a cost-effective countermeasure; (5) a JASSM automatic target recognition capability is still under development; (6) the Air Force will phase in integration of JASSM with combat aircraft, undertaking separate programs to integrate the missile with each type of aircraft as funds become available; (7) the Air Force plans to acquire 35 pilot production missiles, but those missiles may not be needed for testing, and may not represent the actual production configuration; (8) the Air Force's unit price goal for JASSM is optimistic when compared to similar missile procurement programs; (9) the Navy has not provided JASSM development funding, but carrier operability is a firm JASSM requirement, and the Navy expects to commit funds for JASSM integration with the F/A-18 aircraft after JASSM development; and (10) the need for JASSM may not be as urgent as the Air Force believes.

Author: U. S. Government Accountability Office (
ISBN-10: 1289259682
ISBN-13: 9781289259686
Publisher: Bibliogov
Language: English
Published: 07/30/2013
Pages: 30
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.16lbs
Size: 9.69h x 7.44w x 0.06d