DSB Task Force on Military Satellite Communications and Tactical Networking

Introduction

“Our Nation’s missions around the globe are enabled by robust Military Satellite Communication (MILSATCOM) and tactical networks. These networks transport command and control (C2), sensor, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) information to enable timely and decisive operations. Advances and proliferation in advanced electronic warfare (EW), kinetic, space, and cyber capabilities threaten our ability to maintain information superiority. Preserving the reliability of these networks requires not only improved communication techniques for low probability of detection, interception, and denial, but also an enhanced infrastructure for protection.

The estimated and projected electronic threats against satellite communication (SATCOM) have rapidly escalated in the last few years and will continue to increase in the foreseeable future. Under severe stress situations, jamming can render all commercial SATCOM and most defense SATCOM inoperable, except for the low- and medium-rate modes of defense extremely high frequency (EHF) SATCOM. This reality should be considered a crisis to be dealt with immediately. In addition, network operations in stressed situations can be spotty to non-existent.

To address this situation, this Task Force undertook a year-long study to review the current U.S. military satellite communication, tactical networking, and emerging commercial communication technologies and capabilities and identified shortfalls within existing and planned capability development. This report conveys the Task Force findings and proposes near-, mid-, and long-term system, enterprise, and technology improvements needed to allow effective operations against advanced threats.

Scope of Study

In December 2014, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD(AT&L)) signed the “Terms of Reference – Defense Science Board Task Force on Military Satellite Communication and Tactical Networking.” As a result, the Chairman of the Defense Science Board established a task force on MILSATCOM and tactical networking. The study’s Co-chairmen led an investigation on areas of interest related to military communications capabilities.

The Task Force convened a series of meetings from April 2015 to April 2016 and received briefings on MILSATCOM and networking topics from subject matter experts in the Department of Defense (DoD), the broader U.S. Government, think tanks, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and the private sector. All Services were invited to provide their perspectives on satellite communications, tactical networking, and anti-access, area denial (A2/AD) challenges. The Task Force focused its discussions and this report on what it believes are the most urgent communications and networking issues for the DoD, within the broad Terms of Reference.

Major Findings

MILSATCOM will be contested by a myriad of effects ranging from reversible to destructive.”