Satellite control of unmanned aircraft systems is potentially open to disruption thanks to lack of a backup relay site, according to the Government Accountability Office.

The number of unmanned aircraft in use by the Defense Department had skyrocketed over the past decade, from fewer than 50 in 2000 to more than 6,800 in October 2009.

However, the inventory might be outpacing DoD's ability to comprehensively support it with a robust communications infrastructure, as well as personnel training and facilities, the GAO finds.

Air Force officials told GAO auditors they're taking steps to establish a redundant satellite relay site to support UAS missions in the event of disruptions at the current location. The GAO is concerned, however, that the effort is not scheduled for completion until 2012 and that the Air Force lacks a formal backup plan for continuity of operations should the current satellite relay site be disrupted.

In addition, Defense does a poor job with knowledge management of innovative UAS practices, the GAO states. The department's multiservice tactics, techniques and procedures manual for the tactical employment of UAS was last updated in August 2006, and lacks detailed information on UAS operations in new mission areas, such as communication relay, fires, convoy support, and irregular warfare.

Defense officials told the GAO they plan on releasing a revised multiservice TTP manual in August 2010 and that lessons learned are captured in ad hoc reference materials. However, the GAO notes that ad hoc materials might not be widely distributed, nor the material in them vetted.

For more:
- check out the GAO report (.pdf), "Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Comprehensive Planning and a Results-Oriented Training Strategy Are Needed to Support Growing Inventories"

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