Radio Frequencies

Earlier Coordination Could Improve System Use and Save Costs Gao ID: NSIAD-87-42 February 9, 1987

GAO reviewed the Department of Defense's (DOD) efforts to coordinate the use of radio frequencies with European nations for command, control, and communication systems.

GAO noted that DOD modified some command, control, and communication systems to meet frequency requirements overseas, which resulted in costly delays. DOD stated that coordination was delayed because: (1) its guidance did not specify in which stage of a system's acquisition coordination should take place; (2) it could not disclose system information which contained business proprietary data or U.S. classified or restricted technological information; (3) coordination with host nations on systems that were changing or would never become operational was detrimental to the frequency management process; and (4) a system it developed for use in one nation could be fielded later in another nation. GAO found that delays and unnecessary costs resulted when DOD did not coordinate with host nations early in the development of communication systems to ensure that they would approve the frequencies DOD selected.

Recommendations

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