The Government Accountability Office has said the U.S. Air Force‘s first quarterly report on GPS modernization programs lacks information on program schedules, dates and acquisition measures.GAO said Monday the service branch can address transparency in future reports through an integrated master schedule that shows synchronization of the GPS III satellite, next generation operational control system, military GPS user equipment and Contingency Operations programs.
The Air Force should also report program plans such as milestones and key decision points to track progress over the next three to six months, GAO added.
Auditors said the quarterly report should also include updates on projected completion dates; acquisition risk information; a source date to help distinguish between reports; and additional COps program details such as procurement strategy and schedule.
The Air Force submitted its first quarterly report in April 2016, then GAO evaluated the report and briefed congressional defense committees in June 2016.
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 requires the Air Force to provide quarterly reports on next generation GPS acquisition programs to GAO.
The GPS III, OCX and MGUE programs are designed to modernize three segments of the Air Force’s satellite-based GPS while COps works to address delays in OCX software development as well as maintain the current constellation.
