Protecting Next Generation Military Satellite Communications with an Innovative Disaggregation Approach: Delivering Major Gains Through Business Change

Abstract

The Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) environment is more crowded and contested than ever, with 500,000 space debris items on one hand and over 40 space- faring nations on the other. Technological innovation has ushered in an era of offensive space assets, presenting a new type of Space Race. Yet UK military space budgets remain constrained with no foreseeable economic boost likely to relieve this. New architectures must respond more resiliently than before. To mitigate budget risks, we must examine defensive options: active (shoot back, escort), passive (e.g. hardening), rapid replacement or strategic disaggregation. Most choices are inflexible or limited in effect, except strategic disaggregation – where capabilities are made difficult to target by dispersing systems. A disaggregation dominated approach will improve system interoperability between allies, industry and the UK; strong interoperability disincentivises competitor threats.