Robert E Hutchens

Dod Use of Commercial Wideband Satellite Communications Systems: How Much Is Needed, and How Do We Get It? Robert E Hutchens

Joint force commanders must have the right information at the right time in order to make the best decisions to conduct successful contingency operations in defense of U. S. national security interests. A key enabler to this end is sufficient wideband satellite communications connectivity. DoD's organic wideband satellite communications capabilities are inadequate, so commercial services must be used to overcome the shortfall. The problem is to dedicate enough resources in the most efficient manner to meet this growing need, and time is of the essence. This paper capitalizes on the vast work already accomplished concerning what DoD needs to do to obtain the commercial wideband satellite communications it needs. DoD is procuring advanced satellite ground terminals capable of using commercial wideband satellites and is contracting to launch more of its own capabilities, but the gap is continuing to widen.