Status of the U.S. Antisatellite Program

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO obtained cost, schedule, and testing information on the U.S. antisatellite program.

GAO found that: (1) the Air Force estimates that the antisatellite program will cost $4.1 billion; (2) both the initial and the full operational capability dates have slipped by 1 year, partially because of adverse congressional appropriations action; (3) program costs will probably continue to rise because the program contractor recently submitted increased production cost estimates; (4) more schedule slippage can be expected; and (5) the Air Force has successfully conducted two test flights and will conduct a third as soon as certain technical concerns have been resolved. In addition, GAO found that an Air Force program review group determined that, while the probability of achieving all major mission objectives is less than 50 percent, the probability of accomplishing important developmental objectives is good.