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New DOD Satellite System
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The Army’s planned satellite frequency changeover from Ku to the Ka-band may seem insignificant; however, this small change represents a multibillion dollar transition.
Since 2000 the U.S. Department of Defense has been in the process of purchasing and deploying the new military Wideband Global Satellite Communication satellites previously known as the wideband gapfiller satellite system, a high-capacity communication satellite for the sole purpose of augmenting the X-band communications now provided by the Defense Satellite Communications System. In the interim, the government has been renting commercial Ku satellite bands at a heavy price.
Lt. Gen. Steven W. Boutelle (ret.), the Army’s former chief information officer, recently told a conference that a lack of military satellite capacity resulted in the DoD spending one billion dollars in 2007 on commercial satellite leases.
The Ka-band changeover represents a huge step by the Defense Department in their investment in a DoD-only satellite network. This new satellite network will save American taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year as well as provide more bandwidth and flexibility to its military users where ever they find themselves.
The Ka-band allows improved network communications for more reliable and more mobile communication systems on the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Communication is critical to U.S. Department of Defense operations and the move to the Ka frequency highlights a large step in achieving DoD satellite self-sufficiency, increased networking capabilities and a move towards more fiscally responsible spending.