The Defense Department Inspector General on Friday released its “Semiannual Report to the Congress,” which shows that DoD IG completed one report focusing on the ballistic missile submarines’ communications systems and 76 reports defense-wide during the reporting period from April 1, to Sept. 30. Furthermore, the semiannual report shows that the “Nuclear Enterprise” category – one of 11 groupings – generated the fewest audit, inspection and evaluation (AI&E) reports, which includes DoD IG and military department write-ups, during the reporting period. Only one of 200 total AI&E reports during the reporting period focused on the Nuclear Enterprise.
In June, DoD IG completed a classified report which found that some sites for the Fixed Submarine Broadcast System (FSBS), a communications system capable of communicating at Very Low and Low frequencies, did not meet DoD requirements. The report found the supporting infrastructure for recently upgraded FSBS transmitters has deteriorated because of component obsolescence, system neglect, maintenance deferral and lack of proper oversight. “In addition, during recent transmitter upgrades, failure to identify and define supporting infrastructure requirements also contributed to system degradation,” the semiannual report states. The same report notes that a six-year gap in inspections had resulted in an inadequate sense of readiness and FSBS capabilities.
The report also highlighted the Nuclear Enterprise Oversight Collaboration Group, an interagency forum which met for the second time in Spring 2014. The meeting included representatives from the Government Accountability Office, Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of the Inspector General, the Justice, State and Energy departments, the Nuclear Command and Control System Support Staff, the Navy IG and Air Force A10’s Assessment Division. “The objectives of the forum are to improve communication, de?conflict projects, and identify potential joint projects for oversight agencies in the nuclear enterprise,” the semiannual report states.
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