GAO issues DOD missile defense system oversight recommendations

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) a pair of recommendations to improve missile system sustainment and readiness oversight.

The GAO noted the DOD’s Missile Defense Agency (MDA) develops systems to detect attacks and track, intercept and destroy missiles in flight. The MDA shares responsibility for operating and maintaining the systems with the military services.

According to the GAO, the DOD does not have a specific entity that oversees sustainment decisions for the whole system and the GAO maintains military services and MDA report missile defense readiness data differently, making it more difficult to assess if the systems meet the military’s needs.

The GAO indicated in accordance in its report to the Senate, the agency GAO assessed the extent to which DOD has guidance for sustaining Missile Defense System (MDS) elements and has communicated missile defense readiness information to relevant decision makers.

The GAO’s scope of work included selecting nine MDS elements due to their roles in regional and homeland missile defense and funding received from MDA; comparing DOD’s sustainment approach with its guidance and leading practices for portfolio management; and reviewing MDA and military service readiness guidance on data reporting methods.

According to the GAO, the Secretary of Defense should develop comprehensive guidance for sustaining the MDS and incorporate the guidance into MDS governance policy documents; and the Secretary of Defense should ensure that U.S. Space Command updates MDS guidance to require MDA to periodically report, at least semi-annually, MDRS readiness data to combatant commands, military services and any other relevant entities.