{"id":25288,"date":"2019-12-24T14:00:30","date_gmt":"2019-12-24T14:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2019\/12\/24\/what-the-pentagon-needs-before-it-makes-a-decision-on-satellite-communications\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:59:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:59:50","slug":"what-the-pentagon-needs-before-it-makes-a-decision-on-satellite-communications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/space\/2019\/12\/24\/what-the-pentagon-needs-before-it-makes-a-decision-on-satellite-communications\/","title":{"rendered":"What the Pentagon needs before it makes a decision on satellite communications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The U.S. military will likely take a hybrid approach to meet its satellite communications needs in the future, relying on bandwidth from commercial services and government-owned systems. But the mechanics of how the Pentagon will get there isn\u2019t exactly clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a Government Accountability Office report<\/a> released Dec. 19, an analysis of alternatives for wideband satellite communications conducted by the Department of Defense more than two years ago determined the military should depend on a mix of government-owned and commercial satellites for satellite communications. What the report lacked, however, were recommendations on how to get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The analysis instead determined the department needed more information to make any recommendations, although the GAO warned the Pentagon does not have a formal plan to gather that information. As a result, Congress\u2019 watchdog agency recommended the Secretary of Defense ensure military leaders develop such a plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\t