Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the Air Force's acquisition of the Survivable Communications Integration System (SCIS), focusing on: (1) program costs and schedule overruns; and (2) the status of design and development activities to meet the Department of Defense's needs.

GAO found that: (1) total SCIS costs have increased 65 percent, to $234 million; (2) a 3-year completion delay is due to more powerful computer hardware needs and a redefinition of missile warning message requirements; (3) Air Force reductions in the number of communications media, from 5 to 3, reduces SCIS survivability; (4) SCIS will utilize commercial high-speed telephone lines (CHS) and Jam Resistant Secure Communications, which are available for implementation; (5) the delivery of the Military Strategic Tactical and Relay Satellite Communications system for SCIS use is expected in several years; and (6) CHS are first media likely to fail during a nuclear attack.