According to the GAO, “we testified about ways DOD can improve how it buys its most expensive weapons. Programs are more likely to succeed if they start with a match between a system's needs and the technology, time, and funding available. Achieving this match—along with other knowledge at key points in the program—helps reduce the risk of cost and schedule overruns that have plagued DOD's weapon programs. DOD reformed how it acquires innovative weapons—giving program managers faster and more flexible options. But it is still figuring out how to evaluate and report to Congress on programs using the new reforms. DOD weapon system acquisition is on our High Risk list.”

The GAO goes on to state that “as the Department of Defense (DOD) drives to deliver innovative capabilities faster to keep pace with evolving threats and emerging adversaries, knowledge—about programs' cost, schedule, and technology—increases the likelihood that these capabilities will be achieved… DOD's new acquisition framework (AAF) uses six different acquisition pathways and offers programs a chance to tailor acquisition approaches, providing options to speed up the process. However, preliminary findings from GAO's 2021 annual assessment show that programs using the new middle-tier pathway face increasing risk that they will fall short of expected performance goals as a result of starting without sound business cases. While these programs are intended to be streamlined, business case information is critical for decision makers to know if a program is likely to meet its goals. The (AAF) framework also introduces new considerations for program oversight and reporting. DOD has made some progress in developing its approach to oversight for programs using the new pathways, but questions remain about what metrics DOD will use for internal oversight and report to Congress for external oversight.”