SENATE SEEKS TO RESOLVE DIFFERENCES IN DoD SATELLITE PROPOSALS
Senate will resume debate today (June 24) on defense authorization bill (S-2514) that would recognize need to bolster Dept. of Defense (DoD) space assets, but addresses cost overruns and scheduling delays of various satellite programs. Bill and accompanying Senate Armed Services Committee report (S. Rpt. 107-151) contain respective recommendations to eliminate, meet or increase President Bush’s FY 2003 funding request for satellite communications and surveillance initiatives.
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In addition to addressing disparate funding requests for satellite and other defense communications program, Senate approval of S-2514 would launch follow-up investigation by General Accounting Office (GAO) of DoD radiofrequency use. May 2001 GAO report expressed concern that DoD was developing weapons systems that relied on wireless spectrum not specifically designated for military use. Committee report said that could lead to “unintended interference between those systems and commercial systems licensed to use the same spectrum.” It wants GAO to update its report by assessing DoD spectrum management efforts and impact of spectrum issues on DoD weapons system development.
First-year development of DoD’s Global Information Grid (GIG), which would increase defense communications bandwidth while providing interoperability of DoD voice, video and data equipment on land, sea and space, would get $517 million under White House plan. However, Senate is considering cutting that request by $115.9 million, based on committee’s suggestion that $1 billion investment in 2-year GIG program “is overly ambitious.”
Strategic Subcommittee Chmn. Reed (D-R.I.) on Senate floor June 20 said: “Space programs are critical to the effective use of our nation’s military forces, and each day they grow in importance… The bill includes funding at the requested levels for most” of those programs. “There are some exceptions, however.” Reed referred to programs such as Space-Based Infrared System- (SBIRS-) High satellite program, which is to replace aging DoD system currently used to gather intelligence and to detect missile launches worldwide. White House is seeking $814.9 million, nearly double last year’s appropriation, but committee recommended reducing that by $100 million. Reed acknowledged importance of replacing older satellites in order to improve critical intelligence missions, but said SBIRS-High was “plagued with serious problems.” He said DoD was modifying program and proposed funding cut was justifiable “so that restructuring can literally catch up with the funding stream.”
Advanced Extremely High Frequency (EHF) satellite program is another initiative Reed said was necessary to replace aging satellites, but like SBIRS-High, Advanced EHF is “experiencing significant problems with cost growth and schedule slippage.” Bush requested $94.5 million, but committee recommended no funds, since Air Force had indicated program wouldn’t be pursued in FY 2003. Reed said on floor that Air Force was restructuring program and recommended shifting requested funds “to other high-priority programs. And we have followed their advice and their suggestion.”
Advanced Wideband System (AWS) satellite program, still under development, would put birds in space that used lasers to increase satellite bandwidth. Bush wants $200 million, but committee recommended reducing that by $80 million, saying it was imprudent “to conduct detailed pre-acquisition activities for a program prior to completion of concept and technology development.”
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, which is private-public sector partnership, will be used to launch DoD’s Wideband Gapfiller satellites (WGS). Under Bush plan, EELV would get $158.9 million, but committee recommended boosting that amount $14.5 million for “mission assurance” since WGS assets “will provide critical and substantially improved communications services” to warfighters.