In a contributed article to SpaceNews, Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, Senior Vice President of Government Strategy and Policy, Inmarsat U.S. Government Business Unit, highlights the progress made this year towards an entirely integrated architecture approach that considers military and commercial SATCOM as an holistic capability that allows for rapid and cost-effective innovation relevant to government’s ever-changing needs.
Fortunately, while still muddled by piecemeal and antiquated military procurement practices, the path for the government is getting clearer, as events over the past year and beyond have demonstrated.
This includes the wideband Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) that provides an opportunity to define, arguably for the first time, a new approach that harness the scale, scope and innovation of COMSATCOM.
Furthermore, the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) marks the first step towards a crucial space reorganisation and leadership shift presenting a clear opportunity for COMSATCOM to become an integral part of the SATCOM architecture.
All of these positive dynamics come together enabling government to opt for newer business models, such as SATCOM as a Service. Mobile users are increasingly adopting this managed service model, seeking quick access to rapid, reliable, worldwide SATCOM wideband capability.
In addition, industry brings new advancements in critical technologies, such as narrowband to support the interoperable requirements of users. Examples include Inmarsat Wideband Streaming L-band (WiSL) or L-band Tactical Satellite (L-TAC) that are in use by government today and supporting critical missions.
Read the full article here: SpaceNews
