Tactical satellite communications in the 1990s

EHF frequency bands will allow the new generation of military communications satellites to overcome the capacity and interference resistance limitations of today's systems. They will also provide a new level of mobility and flexibility to the communications equipment of the combat forces. The frequency bands, referred to as the EHF MILSATCOM bands are in the vicinity of 20, 30 and 44 GHz. The 20 GHz band is allocated for downlink service, and the 30 and 44 GHz bands are allocated for uplink service. The enhanced operational effectiveness of combat forces through the use of modern satellite communications is discussed, and the evolution of the MILSATCOM systems architecture is reviewed. The motivation for a move to the EHF bands and the technology needed for such a move are also discussed. Finally, the future tasks of defining the requirements for tactical satellite communications, securing agreement to those requirements among the services, and obtaining the necessary resources to develop the system are considered