Attack Warning

Management and development problems with the Survivable Communications Integration system--an automated communications network designed to transmit missile attack warnings to the nation's leaders by both phone lines and satellite--have contributed to a 65-percent increase in program costs and a three-year delay in completion. Because the prime contractor was unable to deliver a system that could process sensor data fast enough to meet specifications, the Air Force allowed the contractor to replace the computer platform, for the second time at government expense, with a faster, more powerful model. The Air Force has also reduced the number of communications media to be used from five to three, thus reducing the system's survivability--a key factor for its justification. According to the Air Force, commercial high-speed phone lines would probably be the first communications medium to go down during a nuclear attack. If a nuclear strike should occur before the military's satellite system became operational, attack warnings could be sent by only one satellite system.

GAO found that: (1) total SCIS costs have increased 65 percent, to $234 million; (2) a 3-year completion delay is due to more powerful computer hardware needs and a redefinition of missile warning message requirements; (3) Air Force reductions in the number of communications media, from 5 to 3, reduces SCIS survivability; (4) SCIS will utilize commercial high-speed telephone lines (CHS) and Jam Resistant Secure Communications, which are available for implementation; (5) the delivery of the Military Strategic Tactical and Relay Satellite Communications system for SCIS use is expected in several years; and (6) CHS are first media likely to fail during a nuclear attack.