Military Satellite Communications: Opportunity to Save Billions of Dollars

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.

Full Report

Full Report (20 pages)

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Topics

Telecommunications

Communication satellitesDefense cost controlDefense procurementLife cycle costsMilitary appropriationsMilitary satellitesSystems designSatellitesSpace acquisition programsBaseline architecture