While serving in the Air Force I was an F-15E Strike Eagle pilot and completed my career in the Pentagon as a congressional liaison working on programs to develop new equipment to defend our country and emerging threats to our national security. Today, our military is faced with a new battlespace. Cyber-attack capabilities are becoming one of the greatest threats to our national security. Hardening our defense capabilities against cyber-attack is just as important as securing our physical equipment against conventional attack.
Toward the end of my career, the Air Force recognized the importance of fighting both physical and cyber threats and began developing projects to fight emerging capabilities. As Congress works through the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act and defense appropriations process it’s vital they continue to fund programs that develop the best available technology to meet the Department of Defense’s rapidly developing need to counter cyber-attacks.
Take our nation’s global position system, for instance. GPS is a critical military tool and capability essential to nearly every part of our armed services communication and battle planning. Unfortunately, our current GPS system is over 20 years old and susceptible to modern cyber threats that could reduce the capabilities of or compromise entirely some of the military’s best tools. To prevent cyber threats and expand and modernize the functionality of GPS, the Air Force has been developing an upgraded global positioning system (GPS OCX) that is more accurate, reliable and protects against cyber-attack for both civilian and military users; however, Congress has threatened funding for the project.
Initially, Congress authorized the development of an updated control system in the early 2000s that despite delays and cost overruns is nearing completion. Though the program’s development has gotten back on the right footing, it’s now facing a potential $393 million cut in funding, essentially zeroing out the program. Budget hawks cite the project is over-cost and delayed without considering the technological challenges required in developing a system that can keep pace with and protect against evolving threats.
Current GPS technology is susceptible to meaconing, intrusion, jamming and interference that can significantly threaten and damage both military and civilian GPS capabilities. The new GPS OCX system will protect against those threats while providing more accurate location and tracking capabilities. Earlier this year, the system successfully completed a major qualification test by the Air Force, delaying funding and reversing course now will only keep this critical capability from the warfighter.
As a pilot, I understand how critical GPS is — a life without it is unimaginable. Congress is tasked with protecting the American taxpayer, but they are also tasked with providing for the common defense. Anything less than full funding for our nation’s GPS upgrade is a false choice between the two. Updating our global positioning system will continue to provide both military and civilians with an accurate and essential component to critical systems. As an operational fighter pilot and while working as a congressional liaison I experienced firsthand some of the frustrations of members of Congress when programs are delayed. But failing to deliver the GPS OCX capabilities would guarantee significant negative consequences to the warfighter from current and emerging cyber threats.
Slim Marlar is a retired Lt. Colonel with the Air Force serving for 20 years as an F-15 Strike Eagle pilot and Congressional liaison specializing in advanced weapons. Thinking of submitting an op-ed to the Washington Examiner? Be sure to read our guidelines on submissions.
