Hegseth gutted DOT&E's workforce last year, leaving the office with less officers and oversight on weapons programs.

Major workforce reductions at DOT&E have led to "action officers" being assigned more programs, programs in warfare areas for which they lack expertise, or both, GAO said.

Workforce reductions meant that weapon systems reach warfighters with “undocumented shortfalls related to effectiveness, suitability, [and] survivability."