DoD Inspector General faults $9B WIN-T procurement

A 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division soldier demonstrates Warfighter Information Network-Tactical Increment 2 and Mission Command on the move applications during the Network Integration Evaluation 12.1. WIN-T Increment 2 is a major upgrade to the tactical network backbone that will extend satellite communications to the company level, allowing soldiers to communicate seamlessly through voice, data, images and video – even in complex terrain that can break line-of-sight radio connections. Hosted on a single computing system, the initial set of Mission Command on the move applications will provide mobile company soldiers with the real-time information that typically would only be available inside a Tactical Operations Center. (Photo credit Claire Schwerin, PEO C3T)

A Department of Defense Inspector General audit has found flaws in the Army’s procurement of 3,674 Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) Increment 2 units.

“The Army has no assurance the procurement of 3,674 WIN‑T Increment 2 units, at a cost of $9.1 billion, is necessary or valid, and is the appropriate quantity needed for future Army forces,” the audit concluded.

The auditors found that the Army’s Program Executive Office Command Control Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T) did not adequately justify that quantity.

“This occurred because PEO C3T officials used an unapproved force structure for the WIN‑T Increment 2 planned procurement quantity, and U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command officials did not follow required processes to validate the quantity and cost in the capability production document,” the audit found.

In addition, the Director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center “determined the Mission Command portfolio was unaffordable and unsustainable; therefore, changes to the portfolio may impact the WIN‑T Increment 2 planned procurement quantity.”

Auditors recommended using an approved force structure as the basis for WIN-T procurement.