The authors present a prognostic cost model that is shown to provide significantly more accurate estimates of life cycle costs for DoD programs. Unlike current cost estimation approaches, this model does not rely on the assumption of a fixed program baseline. Instead, the model presented here adopts a stochastic approach to program uncertainty, seeking to identify and incorporate top-level (i.e., "macro") drivers of estimating error to produce a cost estimate that is likely to be more accurate in the real world of shifting program baselines. The predicted improvement in estimating accuracy provided by this macro-stochastic cost model translates to hundreds of billions of dollars across the DoD portfolio. Furthermore, improved cost estimate accuracy could reduce life cycle costs and/or allow defense acquisition officials the ability to make better decisions on the basis of more accurate assessments of value and affordability. Enhanced with text analytics by PageKicker robot Jellicoe.

Full color interior enhanced with text analytics by PageKicker Robot Jellicoe. To improve the construction quality of ships delivered to the Navy, GAO is recommending, among other things, that the Navy clarify policy on when deficiencies should be addressed, provide guidance on contract quality requirements, and assess applicability of certain commercial practices to Navy shipbuilding. DOD agreed with two recommendations and partially agreed with three, stating for example that current policy is adequate but that the Navy would monitor deficiency trends. GAO believes that the recommendations remain valid as discussed in the report.

The nations involved in the South China Sea dispute have amplified their military expenditures and confrontations at sea have become increasingly common. The People's Republic of China and the United States are the two largest regional powers and, as such, this discussion focuses on their respective policies and implementation strategies. China claims much of the South China Sea as its sovereign territory based on historical occupation and their interpretation of international law. The fear of encirclement and China's increasing dependence on sea trade further drive Chinese policy. Additionally, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines lay claim to parts of the South China Sea and fear China may seek to control the area in the future. Full color interior enhanced with word cloud, key terms, and automatic summarization.

Full text of the executive summary and recommendations from the Final Report of the Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies. This group was asked to review and report on policies of the National Security Agency (NSA). Enhanced with automatic summarization, word cloud, and key phrase recognition.