Military Satellite Communications: Opportunity to Save Billions of Dollars
NSIAD-93-216
Published: Jul 09, 1993. Publicly Released: Jul 26, 1993.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) plans for military communications satellites, focusing on: (1) alternatives contained in its 1991 military satellite communications architecture study; (2) development of low-cost technologies for future satellite systems; and (3) plans to implement follow-on satellite acquisitions.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Defense | In view of opportunities to reduce long-term costs of military satellite communications, the Secretary of Defense should not make any decisions regarding replenishment of existing military satellite communication systems until a coordinated process is established to insert modern technology into the architecture. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD concurred with the opportunity to insert technology into the Milstar program and decided to terminate the planned procurement of two Milstar satellites while proceeding with an advanced design.
|
| Department of Defense | In view of opportunities to reduce long-term costs of military satellite communications, the Secretary of Defense should reassess the dual common bus alternative as a means of inserting modern technology,, in addition to other alternatives being assessed in the bottom-up review, to preclude continuation of customized satellites. |
Closed – Implemented
DOD concurred with the opportunity to insert technology into the Milstar program and decided to terminate the planned procurement of two Milstar satellites while proceeding with an advanced design.
|
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Topics
Communication satellitesDefense cost controlDefense procurementLife cycle costsMilitary appropriationsMilitary satellitesSystems designSatellitesSpace acquisition programsBaseline architecture