National Defense - Bog

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the Department of Defense's (DOD) effort to save fuel and reduce maintenance costs on aircraft engines through thrust/power management. DOD does not have a comprehensive, effective aircraft thrust/power management program to save fuel consumption and reduce engine maintenance costs. It has not issued specific policies or guidelines for the services to follow. Likewise, the services themselves do not have effective thrust/power management programs. As a result, effective practices and procedures followed by one service, command, or base may not necessarily be implemented or considered by other activities. Variances within DOD and the services are not being investigated, and the potential exists for incurring greater fuel and maintenance costs. Most ongoing thrust/power management efforts in DOD are related to bomber, tanker, and transport aircraft with little attention being placed on fighter type aircraft.