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Space Acquisitions: DOD Needs Additional Knowledge as it Embarks on a New Approach for Transformational Satellite Communications System

GAO-06-537 Published: May 24, 2006. Publicly Released: May 24, 2006.
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Highlights

The Department of Defense (DOD) wants to create a networked force where soldiers and systems are able to operate together seamlessly. To help facilitate this transformation, DOD began the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) program in January 2004. We reported in 2003 that TSAT was about to begin without sufficiently mature technology. In this report, at your request, we followed up with an assessment of (1) how the TSAT program is progressing, and (2) whether the program is using an acquisition approach that will provide the knowledge needed to enter product development.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense To improve DOD's transition to transformational communications by gaining the additional knowledge it needs before TSAT enters product development, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Under Secretary of the Air Force to reassess the value of TSAT in the broader context of other DOD investments, using updated knowledge on likely cost, schedule, technology, and initial capability.
Closed – Implemented
The Secretary of Defense deemed the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) development initiative unaffordable and recommended its termination.
Department of Defense To improve DOD's transition to transformational communications by gaining the additional knowledge it needs before TSAT enters product development, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Under Secretary of the Air Force to update requirements in coordination with the TSAT user community.
Closed – Implemented
The Joint Requirements Oversight Council directed the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) program office to restructure the development initiative to satisfy a change in requirements and provide a phased approach for capacity growth.
Department of Defense To improve DOD's transition to transformational communications by gaining the additional knowledge it needs before TSAT enters product development, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Under Secretary of the Air Force to prove that all critical technologies will work as intended.
Closed – Implemented
DOD recently changed the acquisition strategy to an incremental development approach to increase the confidence in technologies. DOD also rescinded a previous decision to enter the preliminary design phase for the system so that current activities fall within the concept development phase of development. DOD states that the maturity of all critical technologies will be demonstrated prior to entering product development, currently scheduled for September 2007.
Department of Defense To improve DOD's transition to transformational communications by gaining the additional knowledge it needs before TSAT enters product development, the Secretary of Defense should direct the Under Secretary of the Air Force to establish new cost, schedule, and performance goals for the program once the above knowledge has been gained.
Closed – Implemented
The Air Force restructured the Transformational Satellite Communications System (TSAT) program to satisfy a new requirement and provide a phased approach for capacity growth. It also revised the date for the launch of the first satellite to 2019, almost four years later than previously scheduled.

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Topics

Communication satellitesDefense procurementMilitary satellitesProcurement practicesProgram evaluationProgram managementSchedule slippagesCost estimatesSatellite communicationsSpace acquisition programs