Delayed launches of communications satellites threatens troops | NextGov

By Bob Brewin, NextGov, Posted 05/22/09

Link: http://www.nextgov.com/nextgov/ng_20090521_4174.php?oref=rss?zone=ngtoday

"New communication satellites needed to support U.S. forces deployed globally, including combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, continue to experience delays, top Defense Department and Government Accountability Office officials told lawmakers at a Senate hearing on May 20."..."Vice Adm. Harry Harris, deputy chief of naval operations for communication networks, said the new $3.2 billion low data-rate satellite system called the Mobile User Objective System, which Lockheed also is developing, "is critical to satisfying demand for tactical satellite communications."..."the Navy has leased capacity on commercial satellites to help plug the gap and said the Ultra High Frequency Follow-On system continues to function beyond its design life. Today, those satellites support 600 users worldwide, Harris said." Commercial satellites are having an increasingly critical role in supporting ongoing communications for national security needs and can bring advanced technologies benefits (increased performance, reliability, lower-cost) as a major benefit.