Military Satellite Communications: Concerns With Milstar's Support to Strategic and Tactical Forces
NSIAD-99-2
Published: Nov 10, 1998. Publicly Released: Nov 10, 1998.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) multiservice Milstar system, focusing on the: (1) Milstar system's capabilities to support strategic and tactical missions; and (2) extent to which DOD has provided assurance of continuing comparable satellite communications among the users after the Milstar satellites under development are launched.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | In conjunction with the report that DOD is directed to provide by March 31, 1999, to the congressional defense committees on the effects of Milstar communications degradation, the Secretary of Defense should provide information on the status and progress of DOD's efforts to resolve Milstar I operational issues and Milstar II developmental issues. This information should include technical, schedule, testing, and funding matters pertinent to: (1) achieving user-to-user strategic communication network connectivity; and (2) managing the development difficulties associated with the automated communications management system. |
Closed – Not Implemented
DOD stated that it had been advised by congressional staff from the Subcommittee on National Security, House Committee on Appropriations, that it was not necessary to expand on the content of the Milstar report due to the Congress on March 31, 1999.
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| Department of Defense | In assessing the operational risks associated with the predicated degradation of Milstar communications, as directed by the House Committee on Appropriations, the Secretary of Defense should specifically address: (1) the minimally acceptable level of extremely high frequency satellite communications needed to support tactical forces; and (2) the capability of the Milstar system to provide this minimum level of communications until an advanced extremely high frequency communications capability is deployed. |
Closed – Not Implemented
DOD stated that it had been advised by congressional staff from the Subcommittee on National Security, House Committee on Appropriations, that it was not necessary to expand on the content of the Milstar report due to the Congress on March 31, 1999.
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Topics
Ballistic missilesCommunication satellitesConfidential communicationsDefense capabilitiesMilitary communicationMilitary satellitesNational defense operationsNavigation aidsOperational testingIT acquisitionsInteroperability