DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: Space-Based Infrared System-low at Risk of Missing Initial Deployment Date

DEFENSE ACQUISITIONS: Space-Based Infrared System-low at Risk of Missing Initial Deployment Date

Active / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA387717 |

Abstract:

The Department of Defense DOD considers missile defense to counter attacks from ballistic missiles, both long-range strategic and shorter-range theater missiles, to be critical to our national security. The Air Force is developing a new satellite system, called Space-Based Infrared System-low SBIRS-low, to expand DODs current infrared satellite capabilities for supporting ballistic missile defense. The ability to detect missile launches, track missiles throughout their flights, and counter these threats is essential to ballistic missile defense. The primary mission of SBIRS-low is to detect launches and track missile flights. SBIRS-low accomplishes this by using infrared sensors to detect the heat missiles radiate. DOD plans to begin launching SBIRS-low satellites in fiscal year 2006 and estimates the life-cycle cost 1 through fiscal year 2022 to be 11.8 billion.

Author(s):

No Author(s) Identified

Author Organization(s):

GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE WASHINGTON DC

Pagination:

0038

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:

Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR

Identifying Numbers

Report Number(s):

GAO-01-6

Monitor Series:

XD

Subject Terms

Joint Capability Areas:

JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_7_Protection; JCA_3.1.1_Maneuver to Engage; JCA_3.1_Maneuver; JCA_7.1.1_Prevent Kinetic Attack; JCA_7.1_Prevent; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3.2.1_Kinetic Means; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_1.1_Force Management; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_5.3.4_Develop Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.5_Analyze Courses of Action; JCA_5.3.2_Apply Situational Understanding; JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_1.1.1_Global Force Management

Communities of Interest:

Space

Descriptor(s):

*INFRARED SURVEILLANCE, GUIDED MISSILES, AIR FORCE, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, NATIONAL SECURITY, RISK, ACQUISITION, DEFENSE SYSTEMS, ANTIMISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEMS, SPACE SURVEILLANCE, ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES, INFRARED DETECTORS, INFRARED RADIATION, THEATER MISSILE DEFENSE

Field(s)/Group(s):

Infrared Detection and Detectors, Unmanned Spacecraft

Keyword(s):

SBIRS(SPACE BASED INFRARED SYSTEM), GAO REPORTS

Report Date:

2001 Feb 01

Creation Date:

2001 Apr 04