Electronic Military & Defense magazine was developed for engineers, program managers, project managers, and those involved in the design and development of electronic and electro-optic systems for military, defense, and aerospace applications.
Issue link: https://electronicsmilitarydefense.epubxp.com/i/350588
Commercial satellite operators can play a pivotal role in developing tailored solutions that are affordable, adaptable to changing environments, and interoperable across disparate network infrastructures. If the satellite equipment is interop- erable with the network and other existing government- issued systems, military organizations can easily integrate the equipment into their Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and communications architecture — thus minimizing the need for additional expenses. Satellite operators are exploring various ways to enable flexible network arrangements, so that defense users can easily and cost-effectively set up network coverage in the event of a conflict or changes in operational requirements. Military organizations can leverage a hybrid wireless solution for communications within pre-defined user groups, inte- grating a mix of network technologies to support coalition operations. With defense budget cuts, the commercial satellite market pro- vided with proper motivation and information can continue to aug- ment and invest in the develop- ment of innovative capabilities that would be valuable to military cus- tomers. From a product develop- ment standpoint, satellite operators are well-placed to deliver new sys- tems and technology platforms that help the military address both mis- sion requirements and the emerg- ing needs of its users. Addressing The Communication Requirements Of Military Users Consider how military users are increasingly empowered to use their own smartphones, apps, and address books dur- ing mission deployments. The "Bring Your Own Device" (BYOD) phenomenon has clearly impacted how soldiers employ their personal devices and access data applications in a more efficient manner, enabling them to focus on their tasks and increasing their effectiveness in conducting their primary mission. Satellite operators can help military organi- zations to customize new, value-added solutions that enable BYOD devices for multi-modal use, ranging from native to satellite networks and mixed usage. Strategic Implementation Of Commercial Technology Another key area is the integration of new commercial satel- lite systems within existing military communications infra- structures. Through integration, organizations can replace aging platforms as well as help defense agencies build ver- satile and resilient communication systems at a reduced total cost-of-ownership. Military organizations now demand the flexibility to build new devices that can ride on commercial satellite networks. The evolution of software-defined radio (SDR) technology, in particular, holds great promise for enabling military users to develop and deploy new communications equipment quickly to address mission requirements. A Collaborative Future To address the challenges that militaries face, the question of how to work and operate effectively within budgetary constraints is not something new to either the public or com- mercial sectors. Scarce funding can be viewed as being not so much a hurdle as an opportunity for stronger collaboration between the parties involved. Rather than build their own satellite networks from scratch, military and government users can consider work- ing with commercial satellite providers to design and build specialized solutions — or at least provide the commercial sector with access to future government-level discussions. Military budgets may be under pressure, but the prevailing need for assured communications pro- vides the impetus for government and defense agencies to work together with satellite operators to plan future requirements and con- tinue meeting stringent demands for information assurance. Investing in hosted payloads on commercial satellites is one effec- tive means of overcoming defense budgetary constraints. At the same time, satellite operators can sup- port military organizations by providing timely and affordable access to space, accelerating (or maintaining) launch sched- ules, or addressing gaps in operational and proof-of-concept activities. By partnering with commercial satellite operators in support of their current and future communication needs, military organizations will ultimately be able to achieve some degree of long-term cost stability and significantly benefit from the innovative capabilities provided by cutting-edge technology. 1 Defense News, Hacking Cases Draw Attention To Satcom Vulnerabilities, January 23, 2012: www.defensenews.com/article/20120123/C4ISR02/301230010/Cover-Story-Hacking- Cases-Draw-Attention-Satcom-Vulnerabilities. 2 Euroconsult, A Detailed Roadmap to the Multi-Billion Dollar Global Military Satellite Communications Industry, March 2014. Trends 46 Electronic Military & Defense Annual Resource, 4th Edition Robert Demers, VP of government services at Thuraya, has more than 20 years experience in the satellite industry, spanning both narrow and broad band companies. Previously, he was a U.S. Army officer for more than 22 years, serving as a combat helicopter pilot, an aviation unit commander, and as the Secretary of the Army's Liaison to the U.S. Senate. Figure 2: Compact and light satellite broadband terminals support broadband data communications with fast streaming speeds of up to 384 kbps.