NAVSTAR Should Improve the Effectiveness of Military Missions--Cost Has Increased

Recently the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System has demonstrated that it can provide significantly more accurate navigation data than any current navigation system. It is not deterred by adverse weather conditions, and has the potential to improve certain weapons delivery and coordinated operations. NAVSTAR is being developed in three phases: demonstration and validation, full-scale engineering development, and production. The demonstration and validation phase has been completed, and the system was approved for full-scale engineering development. During this phase, new satellites, control segment, and user equipment will be designed, built, and tested to meet operational requirements. This phase will include substantial testing of the system in an operational environment by the Air Force, the Army and the Navy. The production phase is scheduled to begin in 1981 for satellites and in 1983 for user equipment. Initial operation capability with 18 satellites is planned for September 1986 and the full operational satellite constellation of 24 satellites is planned for September 1987.