The Joint Tactical Information Distribution System--How Important Is It?

The Joint Tactical Information Distribution System is being designed to counter the existing electronic countermeasures threat to U.S. communications by Warsaw Pact forces. Development of the system has been given a high priority, but management has been ineffective and progress slow. In a February 1979 report, GAO identified a number of issues adversely affecting the program, including ineffective program management and direction, differences between the Air Force and Navy on the technical approach to be followed, lack of an analysis to determine the System's vulnerability to enemy jamming, and incomplete operational testing.