REPORT ON OPERATING AND SUPPORT COSTS OF MAJOR WEAPONS SYSTEMS

SEC. 316. REPORT ON OPERATING AND SUPPORT COSTS OF MAJOR WEAPONS SYSTEMS (a) Report Requirement.—The Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives a report on the operating and support costs of major weapons systems of the Department of Defense. (b) Matters to Be Included in Report.—The Secretary shall include in the report required by subsection (a) the following: (1) An explanation of the reasons why there is a positive correlation between the increase in dollar value of major weapons systems of the Department of Defense and the increase in operating and support costs of the Department, including— (A) how or whether the programming and budget process has contributed to the relationship; and (B) how the relationship applies at more detailed levels. (2) An examination of the link between operating and support costs and readiness of the Department of Defense. (3) An examination of the feasibility of providing Congress an annual report on the operating and support costs of each major weapon system. (4) Identification of the specific budget accounts and appropriations which cover the operation and support costs for the major weapons systems. (5) An examination of the feasibility of treating the operation and support costs of each major weapon system as overhead of the weapon system, to be automatically included in the budget and appropriation for such weapon system. (c) Deadline.—The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted no later than February 1, 1988.