The U.S. Army recently completed a one-year pilot project exploring outsourcing satellite communications services to private companies, but the long-term future of such arrangements remains uncertain.
During the pilot, the Army worked with satellite operators Intelsat and SES to provide “satcom as a managed service,” where the provider handles all satellite communications functions through a subscription-based contract. The project, which ended on Sept. 30, has sparked discussions about expanding the Department of Defense’s reliance on commercial satcom providers for military communications needs.
David Broadbent, president of Intelsat’s Government Solutions, highlighted the efficiency of managed services but noted uncertainty about the Army fully embracing this model for future satcom procurement. The pilot program demonstrated how commercial providers could offer the latest equipment and customer service, improving deployment times and efficiency.
Feedback from the Army has been positive, with users appreciating the flexibility and on-demand deployment options. The future of managed services for military satcom may depend on funding, with Broadbent expecting defense budgets to include funding for scaling these services into an official program.
The completion of the pilot coincides with Intelsat and SES being in merger talks, with both companies competing in the U.S. Space Force’s Proliferated Low Earth Orbit Satellite-Based Services contract. However, Broadbent noted that the PLEO contract may not offer the flexibility needed by military users like the Army.
Challenges in integrating commercial satcom services into military procurement processes were discussed at a recent summit, highlighting the need for more resilient military communications systems that can incorporate commercial solutions. Budget officials often view commercial services as redundant, but there is a growing recognition of the need to align military requirements with what the commercial market can offer.