DOT Should Terminate Further LORAN-C Development and Modernization and Exploit the Potential of the NAVSTAR/Global Positioning System
MASAD-81-42
Published: Sep 18, 1981. Publicly Released: Sep 18, 1981.
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Highlights
GAO performed a follow-up review of a previous report which concluded that the Department of Defense's satellite-based NAVSTAR/Global Positioning System (GPS) could be a national asset and could replace many existing navigation systems at substantial savings. The report considered these systems, including the Department of Transportation's (DOT) LORAN-C system, to be unneeded by the early 1990's and cautioned against further investment in LORAN-C. It also recommended that the Secretary of Transportation become more involved in the GPS program to ensure the timely availability of low-cost civil receivers.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of DOT should direct the Coast Guard to discontinue developing and demonstrating new and additional LORAN-C marine applications which GPS has the potential to satisfy and focus efforts and resources on developing and demonstrating the GPS potential as a marine navigation system, especially the low-cost GPS user equipment technology essential to civil acceptance and use of GPS. |
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
| Department of Transportation | THe Secretary of DOT should direct the Coast Guard to develop a tentative timetable to phase out LORAN-C by the early 1990's and, if the DOT preliminary decision in 1983 supports GPS, inform the public at that time of this tentative timetable so as to allow users to make informed decisions on replacing current LORAN-C receivers. |
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
| Department of Transportation | The Secretary of DOT should direct the Coast Guard to terminate its planned replacement of certain existing LORAN-C vacuum-tube transmitters with new solid-state transmitters unless the Coast Guard can validly demonstrate on a station-by-station basis that this upgrade will be cost effective by the early 1990's. |
Closed
Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
|
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Communication satellitesMarine radioMilitary communicationNavigation aidsRadar equipmentResearch and developmentGlobal positioning systemMilitary forcesTransportationAviation