New Frontiers in Military SATCOM: Insights from the SSC Reverse Industry Day

• Antenna Systems:

  Companies demonstrated advanced antenna technologies, enabling improved communication efficiency and flexibility. These innovations included adaptive antennas, electronically steered arrays, and phased array systems.

• Networking and Interoperability:

  Industry partners presented solutions for enhancing the connectivity, resilience, and interoperability

Revolutionizing Modern Military Operations: A Deep Dive into the Role of Satellite Communications (SATCOM) and the Satellite and Space Control (SSC) Community

Satellite Communications (SATCOM), a vital component of modern military operations, plays an essential role in enabling secure and reliable communication links between forces dispersed over vast distances. SATCOM systems provide the necessary connectivity for intelligence gathering, navigation, reconnaissance, and real-time situational awareness, enabling commanders to make informed decisions in today’s complex and dynamic operational environments. The Satellite and Space Control (SSC) community is at the forefront of advancing military SATCOM technology, ensuring that our nation’s warriors have access to superior capabilities that maintain a competitive edge.

The Crucial Role of SSC in Military SATCOM

SSC professionals are the guardians and innovators behind military satellite networks, designing, building, launching, and maintaining the constellations that secure our nation’s communication links. Their expertise in satellite technology, space systems engineering, and advanced signal processing techniques allows them to create robust and adaptive SATCOM networks that can respond to evolving mission requirements and counter emerging threats.

Key Discussions at the Recent SSC Reverse Industry Day

Recently, the SSC community gathered for their Reverse Industry Day, an event dedicated to showcasing their latest innovations and fostering collaboration between industry partners and government stakeholders. Some of the key topics addressed during this exciting gathering included:

New Technologies in SATCOM

Exploring the latest advancements in satellite communication technology, including adaptive networking capabilities and advanced modulation schemes that deliver higher data rates and improved spectral efficiency.

Next-Generation SATCOM Architectures

Discussing emerging concepts for future satellite architectures, such as high throughput satellites and constellations, software-defined networking, and the integration of terrestrial networks to create hybrid communication systems.

Countering Threats in SATCOM

Addressing the challenges of securing military satellite networks against adversarial actions, including cyber attacks, jamming, spoofing, and kinetic threats.

Featured Speakers

Some notable speakers at the event included esteemed leaders from industry, academia, and government organizations, such as:

• Dr. William Riggs: President, MITRE National Security Sector
• Maj. Gen. John Shaw: Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center
• Dr. William Pate: Director, SSC Directorate for Technology
• Col. (Ret.) Chris Mercer: President and CEO, AEHF Industry Consortium
• Dr. Andrew T. Dugan: Associate Professor, Virginia Tech

By focusing on these critical areas, the SSC Reverse Industry Day event provided a platform for progress and collaboration in advancing military satellite communications technology and ensuring that our nation’s forces remain connected, informed, and prepared to tackle the complex challenges of modern warfare.

Opening Remarks by SSC Commander

“Good morning, esteemed guests, and welcome to this important gathering focused on military SATCOM and the critical role it plays in national security. I am proud to represent the Space and Space Communications (SSC) organization today, an integral part of the U.S. Space Force with a rich heritage in delivering military-unique communications solutions for our warfighters around the world.

Mission of SSC

Our mission at SSC is to deliver resilient, assured, and efficient space-based communications capabilities to the joint warfighter. We strive to enable information dominance for our military forces by providing reliable, secure, and agile satellite communications in both contested and non-contested environments.

Current Challenges and Priorities

However, as we all know, the landscape of military SATCOM is continually evolving, and our organization must adapt to meet current challenges and priorities. Some of the pressing issues we face include:

Increased Demands for Bandwidth

With the growing reliance on data-intensive applications and the proliferation of connected devices, there is a significant increase in demand for bandwidth across all mission areas.

Emerging Threats and Competition

As adversaries develop new capabilities to disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy our communications systems, we must stay one step ahead by investing in advanced technologies and strategies to protect our networks.

Rapidly Evolving Technologies

Keeping pace with the latest technological advancements is crucial to maintaining a competitive edge, ensuring that we can deliver the most cutting-edge communications solutions for our warfighters.

Collaboration with Industry Partners

To address these challenges and priorities, we recognize the importance of collaboration with our industry partners. By leveraging the innovative capabilities and expertise of the private sector, we can accelerate the development and deployment of new technologies that will help us meet the evolving needs of our military forces.

I Keynote Speech: “New Frontiers in Military SATCOM”

Join us for an insightful and thought-provoking talk by Dr. Jane Doe, a leading expert in the field of military Satellite Communications (SATCOM). In this keynote speech, Dr. Doe will discuss the latest advancements and trends in military SATCOM technology, exploring topics such as:

High Throughput Satellites

Dr. Doe will delve into the world of High Throughput Satellites (HTS), explaining how these innovative spacecraft are revolutionizing military communications by providing increased bandwidth and improved connectivity. With the ability to support real-time, high-definition video conferencing, data transfer, and mission-critical applications, HTS is paving the way for new frontiers in military SATCOM.

Resilient Networks

Another topic of discussion will be the importance of building resilient networks in military SATCOM. As the threat landscape continues to evolve and become more complex, it is crucial that military communications remain secure and uninterrupted. Dr. Doe will discuss various strategies for enhancing network resilience, including advanced encryption methods, redundancy measures, and quick recovery solutions.

Advanced Modem Technologies

Lastly, Dr. Doe will highlight the role of advanced modem technologies in driving future progress in military SATCOM. With next-generation modems offering increased data rates, improved efficiency, and adaptive modulation capabilities, these innovations are essential for keeping up with the growing demand for high-bandwidth applications in military communications. Dr. Doe will explore the latest developments in this area and discuss their potential impact on the field.

Emphasizing the Role of Innovation and Collaboration

Throughout her talk, Dr. Doe will emphasize the importance of innovation and collaboration in driving future progress in military SATCOM. She will encourage attendees to engage in open discussions about emerging trends and technologies, as well as the challenges and opportunities they present for the military communications community. Join us for this enlightening keynote speech and be a part of the conversation shaping the future of military SATCOM.

Panel Discussion:

Innovation Showcase: Industry’s Cutting-Edge Solutions

Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring three leading companies in the satellite communication (SATCOM) industry:

Company A

Kickstarting the session, Company A will introduce their latest military SATCOM technology. This advanced system offers unprecedented capabilities and applications, revolutionizing the way defense forces communicate in challenging environments. Stay tuned to learn how this technology is poised to transform military communications.

Company B

Next up, Company B will present their innovative approach to SATCOM network security and anti-jamming techniques. In an increasingly complex threat landscape, this topic is more important than ever. Discover how Company B’s solutions can help safeguard critical communications networks from potential disruptions.

Company C

Last but not least, Company C will demonstrate their advanced satellite communication terminal. Boasting enhanced features such as high data rates, low power consumption, and improved ruggedness, this terminal promises to outperform its competitors. Prepare to be amazed by Company C’s game-changing technology.

Moderated Q&A session

Following the presentations, a moderated Q&A session will provide an opportunity for panelists and audience to discuss their presentations and explore potential collaborations. Don’t miss this chance to engage in insightful conversations with industry experts and peers.

Breakout Session:

“Collaboration and Partnership Opportunities”

During this breakout session, representatives from industry, academia,fostering partnerships that can drive innovation in military SATCOM. This roundtable discussion provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to explore potential collaborations and establish new connections that could lead to groundbreaking advancements in this field.

Funding Opportunities and Collaborative Research Projects

An essential aspect of the session focused on discussing funding opportunities that are available for collaborative research projects. By pooling resources and expertise, organizations can tackle complex challenges in military SATCOM more effectively than they could on their own. Participants exchanged information about ongoing projects and funding sources that could help bring new ideas to life.

Benefits of Public-Private Partnerships and Open Innovation Initiatives

The session also delved into the benefits of public-private partnerships and open innovation initiatives in military SATCOM. Collaborative efforts between organizations from diverse sectors can lead to unique solutions that combine the strengths of each partner. Additionally, open innovation initiatives allow for the sharing of knowledge and ideas among a larger community, potentially leading to breakthrough discoveries that could benefit military SATCOM applications. By fostering these collaborations, the sector can advance more rapidly and effectively than if each organization worked in isolation.

VI. Closing Remarks by SSC Commander

In closing, I would like to recap the key takeaways from today’s thought-provoking event. We have heard from industry leaders, innovators, and experts about the latest advancements in military SATCOM technology and their potential impact on our missions. The importance of resilient, secure, and high-capacity communications was a recurring theme, with discussions on the use of

advanced modulation techniques

,

low earth orbit constellations

, and

software-defined networking

. Another fascinating topic was the potential for

collaboration between industry and government

, as well as the importance of

interoperability

in enabling this partnership.

As we look towards the future, it is crucial that we continue to innovate and invest in military SATCOM technology. With emerging threats and an ever-evolving technological landscape, our commitment to staying at the forefront of this vital field is more important than ever. I encourage all of you to stay engaged with SSC and the wider SATCOM community as we work together to push the boundaries of what’s possible. Let us continue the dialogue, share ideas, and collaborate on new initiatives. Our collective efforts will help ensure that we are prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Thank you for your participation in this event. I hope you found it informative, thought-provoking, and inspiring. Let us continue to drive progress in military SATCOM technology together.