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GAO-03-825R 1 (2003-06-02)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaamfe0001 and id is 1 raw text is: 


   I


       Accountability * Integrity * Reliability
United States General Accounting Office
Washington, DC 20548





         June 2, 2003


         The Honorable Jerry Lewis
         Chairman, Subcommittee on Defense
         Committee on Appropriations
         House of Representatives

         Subject: Military Space Operations: Common Problems and Their Effects on
         Satellite and Related Acquisitions

         Dear Mr. Chairman:

         In fiscal year 2003, the Department of Defense expects to spend more than $18 billion
         to develop, acquire, and operate satellites and other space-related systems. Satellite
         systems collect information on the capabilities and intentions of potential
         adversaries. They enable military forces to be warned of a missile attack and to
         communicate and navigate while avoiding hostile action. And they provide
         information that allows forces to precisely attack targets in ways that minimize
         collateral damage and loss of life. DOD's satellites also enable global
         communications, television broadcasts, weather forecasting; navigation of ships,
         planes, trucks, and cars; and synchronization of computers, communications, and
         electric power grids.

         You requested that we review reports we issued on satellite and other space-related
         programs over the past two decades and identify common problems affecting these
         programs. In addition to analyzing past reports, we interviewed Air Force space
         acquisition officials and reviewed past DOD studies as well as DOD's selected
         acquisition reports to the Congress. As agreed with your office, given the short
         timeframe of this assignment, we did not thoroughly assess underlying causes of
         problems identified or the effectiveness of actions being taken to address these
         problems. However, we plan to do so as part of a follow-on study. To the extent
         possible, we looked at the current status of programs we reviewed. However,
         because we principally relied on past GAO and DOD reports, some recent changes in
         status and cost may not be reflected. We conducted our review from April 2003
         through May 2003 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing
         standards.


GAO-03-825R Satellite Acquisition Programs

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