The Nation : Ammunition Cuts Urged

The Pentagon has overstated the ammunition needs of the armed services by one-fifth, and its appropriations request should be cut by at least $1.2 billion, the General Accounting Office told Congress. The GAO told the Appropriations committees of the Senate and House that the Army’s ammunition request is overstated by $580.2 million, the Navy’s by $139.4 million, the Air Force’s by $297 million and that of the Marine Corps by $75.5 million. In addition, it said, the Army’s $368.4-million request to improve its ammunition production program is overstated by $129.2 million. The Defense Department had no immediate comment.