Global Broadcast Service payload-utilization of commercial technologies for military applications

In April 1995, the government validated the Mission Need Statement for the Global Broadcast Service (GBS): to provide high bandwidth one-way communications to tactical forces in garrison, in transit and deployed. GBS will enhance current MILSATCOM capabilities by providing multi-megabit per second data delivery (up to 120 megabits per second per spacecraft) of intelligence, imagery, map, and video data to users with small, portable, and affordable terminals. Commercially available technology has been applied to provide on-orbit delivery of the Phase II GBS Payload integrated on the Navy's UHF Follow-on Program satellite on an aggressive 24 month schedule under a fixed price contract. The development and implementation this payload, under the leadership of the Hughes-Navy team, is an outstanding example of the benefits to be derived from the application of commercial technologies to military applications under the new government acquisition reform policies.