Defense Computers; Year 2000 Computer Problems Put Navy Operations at Risk

摘要

This report presents the results of our review of the Navy's program for addressing its Year 2000 computer systems problem. The problem results from the inability of computer systems at the year 2000 to interpret the century correctly from a recorded or calculated date having only two digits to indicate the year. Time is running out to correct Navy systems that could malfunction or produce incorrect information when the year 2000 is encountered during automated data processing. The impact of these failures could be widespread, costly, and potentially debilitating to important Navy operations worldwide. We performed this work as part of our review of the Department of Defense's (DOD) Year 2000 computer systems efforts. During the review, we assessed (1) the status of the Navy's efforts to oversee its Year 2000 program and (2) the appropriateness of the Navy's strategy and actions for ensuring that the problem will be successfully addressed. This letter summarizes our concerns and provides recommendations for addressing them.