Government Accountability Office Reports on Military Topics
General Accounting Office

Naval Forces

• Navy and Marine Corps: Rebuilding Ship, Submarine, and Aviation Readiness Will Require Time and Sustained Management Attention, Statement of John H Pendleton, Director, Defense Capabilities and Management, GAO-19-225T, December 12, 2018
• Aircraft Carrier Dismantlement and Disposal: Options Warrant Additional Oversight and Raise Regulatory Questions, GAO-18-523, August 2, 2018
• Navy Shipbuilding: Past Performance Provides Valuable Lessons for Future Investments, GAO-18-238SP, June 6, 2018
• Navy and Marine Corps Training: Further Planning Needed for Amphibious Operations Training, GAO-18-212T, December 1, 2017
• Navy Readiness: Actions Needed to Maintain Viable Surge Sealift and Combat Logistics Fleets [Reissued on October 31, 2017], GAO-17-503, August 22, 2017
• Navy and Marine Corps Training: Further Planning Needed for Amphibious Operations Training, GAO-17-789, September 26, 2017
• Navy Readiness: Actions Needed to Address Persistent Maintenance, Training, and Other Challenges Affecting the Fleet, GAO-17-809T, September 19, 2017
• Navy Readiness: Actions Needed to Address Persistent Maintenance, Training, and Other Challenges Facing the Fleet, GAO-17-798T, September 7, 2017
• Navy Readiness: Actions Needed to Maintain Viable Surge Sealift and Combat Logistics Fleets, GAO-17-503, August 22, 2017
• Navy Shipbuilding: Policy Changes Needed to Improve the Post-Delivery Process and Ship Quality, GAO-17-418, July 13, 2017
• Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier: Follow-On Ships Need More Frequent and Accurate Cost Estimates to Avoid Pitfalls of Lead Ship, GAO-17-575, June 13, 2017
• Navy Unmanned Aerial Refueling System: Acquisition Addresses Validated Requirements and Reflects a Knowledge-Based Approach, GAO-17-647, September 6, 2017
• Navy Force Structure: Actions Needed to Ensure Proper Size and Composition of Ship Crews, GAO-17-413, May 18, 2017
• Littoral Combat Ship and Frigate: Delaying Planned Frigate Acquisition Would Enable Better-Informed Decisions, GAO-17-323, April 18, 2017
• Amphibious Combat Vehicle Acquisition: Cost Estimate Meets Best Practices, but Concurrency between Testing and Production Increases Risk, GAO-17-402, April 18, 2017
• Marine Corps Asia Pacific Realignment: DOD Should Resolve Capability Deficiencies and Infrastructure Risks and Revise Cost Estimates, GAO-17-415, April 5, 2017
• Navy Shipbuilding: Need to Document Rationale for the Use of Fixed-Price Incentive Contracts and Study Effectiveness of Added Incentives, GAO-17-211, March 1, 2017
• Maritime Administration: Proceeds from the Sale of Obsolete Vessels Were Accounted for, Allocated, and Disbursed Consistent with Applicable Law, GAO-17-280, February 23, 2017
• Coast Guard: Most Training Providers Expect to Implement Revised International Maritime Standards by the Deadline Despite Challenges, GAO-17-40, January 31, 2017
• Military Personnel: DOD and the Coast Guard Need to Screen for Gambling Disorder Addiction and Update Guidance, GAO-17-114, January 30, 2017
• Littoral Combat Ship and Frigate: Congress Faced with Critical Acquisition Decisions, GAO-17-262T, December 1, 2016
• Navy Ship Maintenance: Action Needed to Maximize New Contracting Strategy's Potential Benefits, GAO-17-54, November 21, 2016
• Arleigh Burke Destroyers: Delaying Procurement of DDG 51 Flight III Ships Would Allow Time to Increase Design Knowledge, GAO-16-613, August 4, 2016
• Littoral Combat Ship: Need to Address Fundamental Weaknesses in LCS and Frigate Acquisition Strategies, GAO-16-356, June 9, 2016
• Navy and Coast Guard Shipbuilding: Navy Should Reconsider Approach to Warranties for Correcting Construction Defects, GAO-16-71, March 3, 2016
• Littoral Combat Ship and Frigate: Slowing Planned Frigate Acquisition Would Enable Better-Informed Decisions by Michele Mackin, Director, Acquisition and Sourcing Management, before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, GAO-17-279T, December 8, 2016
• Littoral Combat Ship: Knowledge of Survivability and Lethality Capabilities Needed Prior to Making Major Funding Decisions, GAO-16-201, December 18, 2015
• Amphibious Combat Vehicle: Some Acquisition Activities Demonstrate Best Practices; Attainment of Amphibious Capability to be Determined, GAO-16-22, October 28, 2015
• Ford Class Aircraft Carrier: Poor Outcomes Are the Predictable Consequences of the Prevalent Acquisition Culture, by Paul L. Francis, managing director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Senate Committee on Armed Services, GAO-16-84T, October 1, 2015
• Navy Working Capital Fund: Budgeting for Carryover at Fleet Readiness Centers Could Be Improved, GAO-15-462, June 30, 2015
• Navy Force Structure: Sustainable Plan and Comprehensive Assessment Needed to Mitigate Long-Term Risks to Ships Assigned to Overseas Homeports, GAO-15-329, May 29, 2015
• Surface Ships: Status of the Navy's Phased Modernization Plan, GAO-15-510R, May 20, 2015
• Unmanned Carrier-Based Aircraft System: Navy Needs to Demonstrate Match between Its Requirements and Available Resources, GAO-15-374, May 4, 2015
• Amphibious Combat Vehicle Acquisition: Marine Corps Adopts an Incremental Approach, GAO-15-385, April 15, 2015
• Ford-Class Aircraft Carrier: Congress Should Consider Revising Cost Cap Legislation to Include All Construction Costs, GAO-15-22, November 20, 2014
• Navy Shipbuilding: Opportunities Exist to Improve Practices Affecting Quality, GAO-14-122, November 19, 2013
• Ford-Class Carriers: Lead Ship Testing and Reliability Shortfalls Will Limit Initial Fleet Capabilities, GAO-13-396, September 5, 2013
• Navy Shipbuilding: Significant Investments in the Littoral Combat Ship Continue Amid Substantial Unknowns about Capabilities, Use, and Cost, by Paul L. Francis, managing director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, House Committee on Armed Services, GAO-13-738T, July 25, 2013
• Navy Shipbuilding: Significant Investments in the Littoral Combat Ship Continue Amid Substantial Unknowns about Capabilities, Use, and Cost, GAO-13-530, July 22, 2013
• Navy Shipbuilding: Significant Investments in the Littoral Combat Ship Continue Amid Substantial Unknowns about Capabilities, Use, and Cost, GAO-13-530, July 22, 2013
• Military Readiness: Navy Needs to Assess Risks to Its Strategy to Improve Ship Readiness, GAO-12-887, September 21, 2012
• Next Generation Enterprise Network: Navy Implementing Revised Approach, but Improvement Needed in Mitigating Risks, GAO-12-956, September 19, 2012
• Navy Training: Observations on the Navy's Use of Live and Simulated Training, GAO-12-725R, June 29, 2012
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: Additional Actions Needed to Establish Effective Internal Control, GAO-12-369, July 6, 2012
• Navy Small Boats: Maintenance Report Addressed Most Directed Elements, but Additional Information Needed, GAO-12-421, March 13, 2012
• Arleigh Burke Destroyers: Additional Analysis and Oversight Required to Support the Navy's Future Surface Combatant Plans, GAO-12-113, January 24, 2012
• Military Readiness: Navy's Report to Congress on the Impact of Training and Crew Size on Surface Force Material Readiness, GAO-11-746R, Jul 7, 2011
• Defense Acquisitions: Realizing Savings under Different Littoral Combat Ship Acquisition Strategies Depends on Successful Management of Risks, GAO-11-277T, Dec 14, 2010
• Navy's Proposed Dual Award Acquisition Strategy for the Littoral Combat Ship Program, GAO-11-249R, Dec 8, 2010
• Defense Acquisitions: Navy's Ability to Overcome Challenges Facing the Littoral Combat Ship Will Determine Eventual Capabilities, GAO-10-523, Aug 31, 2010
• Military Readiness: Navy Needs to Reassess Its Metrics and Assumptions for Ship Crewing Requirements and Training, GAO-10-592, Jun 9, 2010
• Littoral Combat Ship: Actions Needed to Improve Operating Cost Estimates and Mitigate Risks in Implementing New Concepts, GAO-10-257, Feb 2, 2010
• Defense Acquisitions: Additional Analysis Needed to Capture Cost Differences Between Conventional and Nuclear Propulsion for Navy's Future Cruiser, GAO-09-886R, Aug 7, 2009
• Best Practices: High Levels of Knowledge at Key Points Differentiate Commercial Shipbuilding from Navy Shipbuilding, GAO-09-322, May 13, 2009
• Defense Inventory: Management Actions Needed to Improve the Cost Efficiency of the Navy's Spare Parts Inventory, GAO-09-103, Dec 12, 2008
• DOD Business Systems Modernization: Important Management Controls Being Implemented on Major Navy Program, but Improvements Needed in Key Areas, GAO-08-896, Sep 8, 2008
• DOD Business Systems Modernization: Planned Investment in Navy Program to Create Cashless Shipboard Environment Needs to Be Justified and Better Managed, GAO-08-922, Sep 8, 2008
• Defense Acquisitions: Cost to Deliver Zumwalt-Class Destroyers Likely to Exceed Budget, GAO-08-804, Jul 31, 2008
• Defense Acquisitions: Zumwalt-Class Destroyer Program Emblematic of Challenges Facing Navy Shipbuilding, GAO-08-1061T, Jul 31, 2008
• Force Structure: Ship Rotational Crewing Initiatives Would Benefit from Top-Level Leadership, Navy-wide Guidance, Comprehensive Analysis, and Improved Lessons-Learned Sharing, GAO-08-418, May 29, 2008
• Defense Logistics: Navy Needs to Develop and Implement a Plan to Ensure That Voyage Repairs Are Available to Ships Operating near Guam when Needed, GAO-08-427, May 12, 2008
• Defense Acquisitions: Navy Faces Challenges Constructing the Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford within Budget GAO-07-866 August 23, 2007
• Defense Acquisitions: Success of Advanced SEAL Delivery System Hinges on Establishing a Sound Contracting Strategy and Performance Criteria GAO-07-745, May 24, 2007
• Information Technology: DOD Needs to Ensure That Navy Marine Corps Intranet Program Is Meeting Goals and Satisfying Customers GAO-07-51, December 8, 2006 [PDF 2.18MB]
• Defense Acquisitions: Challenges Remain in Developing Capabilities for Naval Surface Fire Support GAO-07-115, November 30, 2006
• Issues Related to Navy Battleships, GAO-06-279R, December 13, 2005
• Military Readiness: Navy's Fleet Response Plan Would Benefit from a Comprehensive Management Approach and Rigorous Testing, GAO-06-84, November 22, 2005 [PDF 1.6MB]
• Force Structure: Assessments of Navy Reserve Manpower Requirements Need to Consider the Most Cost-effective Mix of Active and Reserve Manpower to Meet Mission Needs, GAO-06-125, October 18, 2005
• Defense Acquisitions: Progress and Challenges Facing the DD(X) Surface Combatant Program, by Paul L. Francis, director, acquisition and sourcing management, before the Subcommittee on Projection Forces, House Committee on Armed Services. GAO-05-924T, July 19, 2005.
• Progress of the DD(X) Destroyer Program. GAO-05-752R, June 14, 2005.
• Defense Acquisitions: Actions Can Be Taken to Reduce Cost Growth in Navy Shipbuilding Programs. GAO-05-183, February 28, 2005.
• Force Structure: Navy Needs to Fully Evaluate Options and Provide Standard Guidance for Implementing Surface Ship Rotational Crewing. GAO-05-10, November 10, 2004. [5.9 MB]
• Information on Options for Naval Surface Fire Support. GAO-05-39R, November 19, 2004.
• DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS Challenges Facing the DD(X) Destroyer Program (GAO-04-973), September 2004 [PDF 596 Kb]
• Defense Inventory: Opportunities Exist to Improve Spare Parts Support Aboard Deployed Navy Ships (GAO-03-887) August 29, 2003 [PDF 831 Kb]
• Defense Inventory: Navy Needs to Improve the Management over Government-Furnished Material Shipped to Its Repair Contractors. (GAO-04-779), July 23, 2004.
• Navy Working Capital Fund: Backlog of Funded Work at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Was Consistently Understated, July 1, 2003, (GAO-03-668) [PDF 789 Kb]
• Military Personnel: Navy Actions Needed to Optimize Ship Crew Size and Reduce Total Ownership Costs, June 9, 2003 (GAO-03-520) [PDF 757 Kb]
• Defense Acquisition: Advanced SEAL Delivery System Program Needs Increased Oversight, March 31, 2003 (GAO-03-442) [PDF 520 kb]
• DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: Testing Needed to Prove SURTASS/LFA Effectiveness in Littoral Waters, June 2002, (GAO-02-692) [PDF 551 Kb]
• DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: Navy Needs Plan to Address Rising Prices in Aviation Parts, May 2002, (GAO-02-565) [PDF 291 Kb]
• Defense Acquisitions: Actions to Improve Navy SPAWAR Low-Rate Initial Production Decisions, (07-AUG-01, GAO-01-735). [PDF 770 Kb]
• Military Transformation: Navy Efforts Should Be More Integrated and Focused, (02-AUG-01, GAO-01-853). [PDF 380 Kb]
• Navy Acquisitions: Improved Littoral War-Fighting Capabilities Needed, (18-MAY-01, GAO-01-493). [PDF 659 Kb]
• Defense Acquisitions: Readiness of the Marine Corps' V-22 Aircraft for Full-Rate Production, (20-FEB-01, GAO-01-369R). [PDF 270 Kb]
• DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: Prices of Navy Aviation Spare Parts Have Increased, November 2000, (GAO-01-23) [PDF 616 Kb]
• Naval Ship Donation: Selection Decision for U.S.S. New Jersey Was Objective, but Selection Process Can Be Strengthened, (Letter Report, 10/12/2000, GAO/GAO-01-31). [PDF 208 Kb]
• Naval Ship Donation: Selection Decision for U.S.S. New Jersey Was Objective, but Selection Process Can Be Strengthened [GAO-01-31] 10/12/2000
• Defense Acquisitions: Comprehensive Strategy Needed to Improve Ship Cruise Missile Defense [NSIAD-00-149] 07/11/2000. [PDF Version 1.5 Mb]
• Navy Ship Maintenance: Allocation of Ship Maintenance Work in the Norfolk, Virginia, Area (Letter Report, 02/24/99, GAO/NSIAD-99-54).
• Federal Surplus Ships: Government Efforts To Address the Growing Backlog of Ships Awaiting Disposal. NSIAD-99-18. 15 pp. plus 4 appendices (5 pp.) October 22, 1998. [PDF Version]
• Navy Aircraft Carriers: Cost-Effectiveness of Conventionally and Nuclear-Powered Carriers. NSIAD-98-1. 107 pp. plus 8 appendices (85 pp.) August 27, 1998.
• Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) Frequency Sale GAO/NSIAD-97-131 June 1997 [PDF 598 Kb]
• Surface Combatants: Navy Faces Challenges Sustaining Its Current Program GAO/NSIAD-97-57, May 21.
• Navy Aviation: F/A-18E/F will Provide Marginal Operational Improvement at High Cost (Chapter Report, 06/18/96, GAO/NSIAD-96-98). [PDF Version 1.79 Mb]
• Navy Ship Propulsion: Viability of New Engine Program in Question (Letter Report, 06/07/96, GAO/NSIAD-96-107). [PDF Version]
• Navy Aviation: AV-8B Harrier Remanufacture Strategy Is Not the Most Cost-Effective Option (Letter Report, 02/27/96, GAO/NSIAD-96-49). [PDF Version]
• Marine Corps: Improving Amphibious Capability Would Require Larger Share of Budget Than Previously Provided, (Chapter Report, 02/13/96, GAO/NSIAD-96-47). [PDF Version]
• Naval Surface Fire Support: Navy's Near-Term Plan Is Not Based on Sufficient Analysis (Letter Report, 05/19/95, GAO/NSIAD-95-160). [PDF Version]
• Coast Guard Cutters: Actions Needed Now to Ensure Better Management of Parts and Supplies (Letter Report, 01/24/95, GAO/RCED-95-62)
• Pollution Prevention: The Navy Needs Better Plans for Reducing Ship Waste Discharges (Letter Report, 11/04/94, GAO/NSIAD-95-38)
• Navy's Aircraft Carrier Program: Investment Strategy Options (Letter Report, 01/01/95, GAO/NSIAD-95-17). [PDF Version]
• Naval Aviation: F-14 Upgrades Are Not Adequately Justified (Letter Report, 10/19/94, GAO/NSIAD-95-12)