The next generation of UK military satellite communication systems

UK military satellite communications systems are currently provided by the Skynet programme. The current generation is collectively known as Skynet 4, and is due to be replaced from 2003 by the next generation. CDA has been asked to conduct an operational research study to review the potential communications requirements of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in the period 2003–2013, and assess what contribution could be made to them by the proposed future military satellite communications system. This paper discusses some of the political and technical issues surrounding the work carried out. Technically, the study looked at the dynamic loading of five different satellite options in three scenarios set in 2010. Each combination of scenario and satellite was modelled, and the results produced in terms of the chosen measures of effectiveness. The sensitivity of these results to various assumptions was tested to determine the robustness of the results. The scenarios included land, air and maritime operations. In an area where little or no analysis had previously been attempted (at least in the military context) in the UK, this ‘intervention’ succeeded in clarifying the main issues, and setting a course for future work.