How is the DoD Addressing Challenges with Its Mobile User Objective System Program?

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DoD) is not using the full capabilities of its latest ultra high frequency (narrowband) military satellite communications system, the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). The full MUOS constellation has been on orbit for over 4 years, but the DoD has not been able to fully use the system’s advanced capabilities—such as its 10-fold increase in communications capacity—primarily due to delays in fielding compatible radio terminals to users. The DoD faces other challenges to its narrowband communication capabilities, such as near-term reliance on oversubscribed communication systems that preceded MUOS. Additionally, on-orbit MUOS satellites have limited design lives, and while the DoD plans to buy and launch additional satellites to sustain the constellation, those additional satellites won’t have legacy capability of the older system. See GAO-21-105283 for more information.