Image: GAO graphic – Threats to GPS
What’s new: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued another report on Department of Defense (DOD) efforts with GPS and other PNT systems.
Why it’s important:
- The report documents only marginal progress in many areas and an on-going lack of coordination within the services, not to mention between the services. It recommends the Army, Air Force, and Navy:
“…assesses where consolidation of … PNT modernization efforts would help ensure better strategic alignment with DOD and the other services through its GPS modernization and complementary PNT efforts and develop a plan to consolidate them, similar to the manner in which the Air Force and Navy aviation M-code and multi-PNT receivers along with the MGUE Inc 1 and Inc 2 programs were consolidated into the Air Force’s M-code Aviation Receiver Joint Program Office.”
- The report also mentions “Office of the Secretary of Defense’s PNT Deep Dive discussions.” It is heartening to hear that SecDef’s office is having such discussions. We hope the recent departure of former Asst. Sec. for Space Policy, Marc Berkowitz has not had an adverse impact on this process.
What else to know:
- The Pentagon agreed with the GAO report recommends.
- The House version of the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act provides for all of DOD’s efforts to be coordinated by a senior official, not the Chief Information Officer, that reports directly to the Deputy Secretary. So, a bit further than what this GAO report recommends.
- GAO has commented about the need for greater leadership of PNT issues before. See for example “GAO discusses DOD PNT management and leadership…again.”
GAO Report Details Progress and Remaining Work as DOD Fields New GPS and Complementary PNT Capabilities
The Government Accountability Office says the Pentagon is advancing M-code receivers and complementary navigation sources while adjusting its GPS ground system plans, and recommends each military department assess opportunities to consolidate its PNT efforts.
The Government Accountability Office has published its latest assessment of the Department of Defense’s efforts to modernize GPS and field complementary positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities. The report, released October 7 (GAO-27-107676, “Precision Navigation Systems: Challenges Remain with Fielding New Capabilities”), describes a mix of milestones reached and schedule adjustments, and recommends that the Army, Navy and Air Force each assess where consolidating their GPS modernization and complementary PNT work could improve strategic alignment. DOD concurred with all three recommendations.
