WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The cost of the program, GAO added, has doubled from an estimated $886 million in 2010 to $1.98 billion today.
27 March 2015, 10:02 GMT
GPS provides location data to the US Department of Defense, commercial users and civilians. The new GPS system is expected to be more accurate and provide data on hard to reach places, such as canyons, and integrate enhanced cybersecurity measures.
“The GPS Next Generation Operational Control System (OCX), the next ground system for GPS, has experienced significant schedule delays and cost growth, and is still encountering technical challenges,” GAO said on Wednesday.
Acquired by Google for $966 million in 2013 and used by around 50 million users worldwide, Waze uses GPS and social networking to warn drivers about nearby accidents, traffic and police traps by showing a little cop icon on the map.
© Flickr / Sal
GAO determined the new GPS system would not be delivered until four years after initially planned as a result of system upgrades and delays on the ground.
“This means some satellite capability will likely go unutilized for several years while the capability of the ground system catches up to the functionality of the satellites,” GAO said.
GLONASS, Russia’s GPS counterpart
