House amendment requires GAO review on hypersonic weapons

The Government Accountability Office has been directed to review and report on the status of Defense Department hypersonic programs, per an amendment to the fiscal year 2023 defense policy bill passed in the House this week.

The review will cover the Navy Conventional Prompt Strike Program, the Army Long Range Hypersonic Weapon and the Air Force Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon. The amendment requires a briefing for congressional defense committees within a year of enactment of the policy bill, though a due date for a final report is not specified.

The review will include the cost and schedule estimates for fielding each weapon system, to what extent the systems are expected to meet originally stated requirements, the technological and manufacturing maturity of the elements planned for the systems and to what extent the DOD has pursued alternatives to those elements.

The amendment, sponsored by Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), passed the House on a voice vote as part of an en bloc package.