Some observations on fulfilling DoD MILSATCOM requirements with dual-use commercial systems

In constant fiscal-year 1997 dollars, US Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition spending plunged from $120 billion in 1985 to $45 billion in 1994, a drop of 63 percent. It has been slowly declining since, to $40 billion in 1999. The Quadrennial Defense Review of 1997 concluded that DoD´s modernization needs for 1997-2015 could only be met by drastic cuts in infrastructure spending. The aging military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) infrastructure is one area being seriously considered for replacement by commercial services and commercially-owned assets. Congress suggests DoD either purchase commercial SATCOM services or find non-traditional system procurement methods, such as forming equity partnerships with commercial telecommunications providers. Fulfilling a major portion of MILSATCOM requirements with dual-use SATCOM is a revolutionary strategy, and many legal, policy, and operational issues remain unresolved at this time. These uncertainties contribute to the difficulties facing MILSATCOM planners as they try to evaluate commercial alternatives