Defense Space Activities. DOD Needs to Further Clarify the Operationally Responsive Space Concept and Plan to Integrate and Support Future Satellites
Abstract
The Department of Defense's (DOD) operational dependence on space has placed new and increasing demands on current space systems to meet commanders needs. DOD's Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) concept is designed to more rapidly satisfy commanders' needs for information and intelligence during ongoing operations. Given the potential for ORS to change how DOD acquires and fields space capabilities to support the warfighter, this report discusses to what extent DOD (1) is developing ORS to support warfighter requirements and (2) has a plan that integrates ORS into existing DOD and intelligence community processes and architecture. GAO reviewed and analyzed ORS planning documents, the ORS concept of operations, and processes for meeting warfighter needs and also interviewed defense and intelligence community officials who are involved with the ORS concept. GAO recommends that (1) DOD define ORS key terms, how timely satisfaction of a need is evaluated, and what Joint Force Commander needs the ORS concept is trying to satisfy; (2) establish an ongoing communications and outreach approach for ORS; and (3) identify the steps necessary to ensure the integration of the ORS concept into existing DOD and intelligence community processes and architecture. DOD partially concurred with our recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA484300
Entities
People
- Davi M. D'agostino
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office