Military Satellite Communications - Business and R&D Prospects

This Frost & Sullivan research service titled Military Satellite Communications - Business and R&D Prospects provides an overview of key developments, factors influencing the industry, and trends across the globe in military satellite communications. It discusses important technological challenges that need to be addressed at the earliest to avoid potential bottlenecks and to ensure more advanced capabilities. Application opportunities for new entrants to military satellite communications are analyzed and a roadmap of future military satellite launches is discussed along with the current status of funding and potential sub-contracting opportunities within those frameworks. This research service covers the following technologies: Internet protocol (IP) communications, bandwidth optimization, satellite network optimization, interference mitigation, and system size, weight, and power (SWaP) reduction.

Technology Overview

Innovative Application Segments in the Military Satellite Communications Sector Lucrative for Technology Vendors

Military satellite communications have developed significantly since the launch of the first artificial satellite over half a century ago. Presently, satellite communications are the core of all military communications, especially during wars on foreign territory and unfriendly terrains. Contemporary satellite links support a significant amount of IP traffic, especially video feeds and high-resolution imagery, apart from conventional voice communications. The emergence of new applications such as communications-on-the-move (COTM) and ballistic missile defense are opening up considerable business opportunities for technology vendors and solution developers in the military satellite communications sector. “A key trend in contemporary military satellite communications is the COTM facility that has become critical for mobile command and control operations, specifically during counter-insurgency operations in mountainous terrain without traditional communication infrastructure,” notes the analyst of this research. “The rise of COTM capabilities is the main accelerating factor for military satellite communications as it facilitates enhanced situational awareness in real time, while on the move, and broadens the scope for technology vendors.”

Technological developments such as improved satellite network communications protocols and novel compact antennas with signal locking capabilities are greatly speeding up the adoption of COTM solutions. However, the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD's) transformational communications satellite (TSAT) program, expected to significantly enhance the capacity for COTM capabilities, has been beset with cost overruns and delays. COTM vendors will still feel hopeful because several militaries are keen on obtaining advanced communication capabilities. Moreover, there is a high demand for compact, transportable, and easily deployable satellite antennas, especially in vehicle-mounted configurations.

Increase in Government-owned Satellite Assets to Minimize Dependence on Commercial Bandwidth

Bandwidth insufficiency continues to be one of the biggest challenges in military satellite communications affecting the deployment of COTM and similar applications requiring significant bandwidth. No single military establishment has sufficient dedicated supply of satellite capacity that is commensurate with the exponentially growing demand for satellite bandwidth. Commercial sources predominantly cater to this demand, which, despite being advantageous, are unreliable for several military applications. “A main disadvantage of the dual-use policy is that competition for commercial bandwidth from the private sector such as broadcasters of high definition television constricts military operations,” explains the analyst.

Many countries intend to minimize their reliance on commercial bandwidth and are likely to increase the number of government-owned satellite assets, consequently widening the availability of indigenous bandwidth. Moreover, modem manufacturers are satisfying the bandwidth crunch to some extent by introducing several novel bandwidth-efficient transmission techniques. “This lack of adequate, reliable bandwidth has spawned a considerable market for bandwidth optimization technologies and satellite network optimization technologies, enabling bandwidth-efficient transmissions and throughput maximization,” concludes the analyst. “Such technologies satisfy the immediate demand for bandwidth as well as facilitate the optimum use of the available capacity.”

Technologies

The following technologies are covered in this research:

• Internet protocol (IP) communications
• Bandwidth optimization
• Satellite network optimization
• Interference mitigation
• System size, weight, and power (SWaP) reduction

1. Executive Summary

   1.1 Research Overview

   1.2 Scope and Methodology

2. Strategic Assessment of the Industry Environment

   2.1 Industry Trends and Analyst Insights

   2.2 Force Field Analysis

3. Business Investment Prospects and Technology Management

   3.1 Business Opportunities

   3.2 The Road Ahead and Funding Prospects

   3.3 R&D Opportunities - Prioritization of R&D Investments using AHP

   3.4 Stakeholder Analysis

4. Patents; Contacts; Glossary; Appendix

   4.1 Patents and Contacts

   4.2 Glossary and Appendix