Definition of a commercial mobile satellite services network to meet DoD communications needs

Commercial-based satellite networks have the potential to provide cost effective communications support for the Department of Defense (DoD's) less critical needs which include administration, logistics, and other support functions. This paper summarizes the definition of a possible multi-vendor Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) network architecture. A determination is presented as to what degree existing and planned commercial MSS systems could satisfy worldwide current and projected DoD communication requirements without adversely affect military requirements and national security. An architecture is defined that satisfies the military mobile communications requirements via use of commercial MSS and FSS resources. In this way worldwide commercial satellite communications capabilities can be exploited and the significant private sector investments that will have been made for a commercial market can be leveraged. This commercial-based architecture could be incorporated as a component resource of the DoD worldwide military satellite communications architecture. The MSS networks would augment the Defense Information Systems Agency's (DISA) evolving Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) concept and other existing DoD user networks, provide access to terrestrial DoD networks, and support interoperability and sharing of transmission assets to meet the various DoD voice, data, video and other requirements