[Satellite Today 05-12-09] The U.S. Air Force may not be able to acquire new 2F satellites in time to maintain current GPS service without interruption, according to a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released May 11.
    The report, “Significant Challenges in Sustaining and Upgrading Widely Used Capabilities,” said current 2F satellite program has overrun its original cost estimate by about $870 million after difficulties in coordination with developers and manufacturers. The result of these difficulties has also delayed the launch of its first satellite, built by Boeing, to November, the GAO said.
The analysis also found that the Air Force’s schedule to deploy the next generation of GPS satellites three years faster than the 2F satellites is “optimistic” given the program’s late start, past trends in space acquisitions and challenges facing the new contractor.
    The GAO claims that lack of clear program leadership and management is a primary cause of budget and delay issues.