The Tri-band Satellite Terminal: a case study in accelerated acquisition and program management of Army communication systems

摘要

The Super High Frequency Tri-band Tactical Satellite Terminal(AN/TSC- 143) is a multichannel tactical satellite communications terminal that allows information to flow between major headquarters within the operational theater and the continental United States. The AN/TSC-143 program used an accelerated acquisition strategy which implemented the concepts of teaming, tailoring, concurrency, and Electronic Bulletin Board (EBB) to accelerate the process. The program successfully reduced the Procurement Administrative Lead Time (PALT) to 72 days, but many other challenges had to be managed during the procurement of this communications system. This case study examines the acquisition environment surrounding this procurement. The case study illustrates the differences between the typical acquisition environment and the communications systems acquisition environment. It also provides valuable insight into developing an acquisition strategy for similar programs.