Fiscal Year 2012 Program Funding

This page lists the FY 2012 funding amounts requested, authorized, and appropriated for each element of the nation's GPS program.

Each line item below provides external links to original source documents, including bills, report language, and agency budget justifications submitted to Congress.

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Defense Appropriations

On December 23, 2011, President Obama signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012, an omnibus spending measure that includes funding for DOD.

The act provides a total of $1.473 billion for the GPS program, $11 million more than requested. However, it makes $29 million in R&D cuts to GPS III and OCX, offset by a $40 million plus-up to GPS IIF procurement.

The act also rescinds (takes back) $122.5 million in prior year funds for GPS III advance procurement, which is the entire amount appropriated for this funding line in FY 2011. (view source) The Air Force initially requested the funds for long lead items for the three GPS III satellites they were purchasing in FY 2012. However, the Air Force subsequently changed the GPS III buy profile for FY 2012 from three satellites to two. Due to congressional delays in FY 2011 budgeting, the Air Force reprogrammed funds from FY 2010 to cover the long lead items for the two satellites and requested that the FY 2011 funds be rescinded.

Funding Marks

The House pushed for the GPS IIF increase for "production support." It recommended $98 million in cuts to GPS IIIB satellite development ("excess to need") and OCX development ("slow execution"). Source documents are linked in the table above. The House also called for the rescission of FY 2011 funds. (view source).

The Senate sought $64 million in cuts to GPS III ("Advance Procurement Addressed by Prior Reprogramming") and OCX ("Directorate support—reduction to growth").

Legislative History

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Transportation Appropriations

On November 18, 2011, President Obama signed the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2012, a mini-omnibus (or "minibus") spending measure that includes funds for civil GPS modernization and augmentations.

The conference report to accompany the act reduces the DOT line item for civil GPS funding by over 60%. It cuts WAAS by 24% compared to the request. The report also cuts the two accounts that fund GBAS, but does not specify whether to cut the GBAS elements of those accounts. The FAA ultimately allocated $4.085 million to GBAS.

In addition, the report expresses support for the FAA's review of alternative positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities to mitigate the potential loss of satellite navigation services. View source...

Funding Marks

In cutting civil funds for GPS, House appropriators cited "a significant unobligated balance in this program once it is transferred to the Department of Defense" and suggested "funding should be provided by the Office of the Secretary [of DOT] and other modes." Regarding their WAAS reduction, they stated, "the amount provided is adequate in providing for a new satellite lease and to maintain existing services." The sources of these quotes are in the table above.

The Senate suggested a different set of cuts that also fell far short of the request.

Legislative History

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Defense Authorization

On December 31, 2011, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2012. The legislation sets the budget for DOD without actually expending funds from the U.S. Treasury. It authorizes $1.433 billion for the GPS program, $29 million less than requested.

The act also includes language concerning potential LightSquared interference to GPS. Details are on the Bills Related to LightSquared Interference page. Go there...

Funding Marks

The House recommended full funding for every DoD line item in the GPS program. The Senate called for $64 million in cuts, consistent with actions taken by the Senate appropriators.

Senate authorizers reduced the advance procurement funding for GPS III satellites 5 and 6, citing "Excess advance procurement—AF program change." Their report elaborates that, "the Air Force restructured the GPS program in fiscal year 2011. As a result, instead of buying long lead items for satellites 3, 4, and 5 in fiscal year 2011 as planned, the Air Force bought long lead items for only satellites 3 and 4. As a result of these actions and a reprogramming in fiscal year 2011, the program has excess money." (View source) The report also indicates a $122.49 million reduction to GPS III procurement, but offsets it with an equivalent increase to the request amount. This is consistent with the shift in satellite buys from one year to another. Finally, the Senate reduced OCX, citing "Slow execution."

The conference committee supported the Senate cut to OCX, again citing "Slow execution." The conferees rejected the Senate's cut to GPS III procurement but trimmed GPS III development, citing "GPS III CIP—poor justification". CIP stands for Capability Insertion Program. Sources for these quotes are in the table above.

Biennial GPS Report

The House proposed repealing the biennial GPS report to Congress, which is required by 10 U.S.C. § 2281(d) (View source). The Senate bill originally included the repeal (View source) but dropped it from later versions. The final act does not mention the GPS report.

Learn about 10 U.S.C. § 2281(d)...

Legislative History

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