Economic troubles could put UK in firing line of more defense takeovers

Economic troubles could put UK in firing line of more defense takeovers
Economic troubles could put UK in firing line of more defense takeovers

New UK defense takeovers “are a real and present danger, especially for mid-tier suppliers, who appear to be particularly vulnerable,” said Andrew Kinniburgh, director general at Make UK Defense, a manufacturing advisory body.

A Musk monopoly? For now, Ukraine has few options outside Starlink for battlefield satcoms

A Musk monopoly? For now, Ukraine has few options outside Starlink for battlefield satcoms
A Musk monopoly? For now, Ukraine has few options outside Starlink for battlefield satcoms

“I think everyone agrees that if there’s a reasonable cost-based argument that paying for use does make sense,” industry analyst Tim Farrar said. But “I think Elon has made that more difficult rather than less difficult because you don’t normally negotiate your weapons contracts on Twitter.”

Viasat to buy Inmarsat, plans for polar sats to expand Arctic coverage

Viasat to buy Inmarsat, plans for polar sats to expand Arctic coverage
Viasat to buy Inmarsat, plans for polar sats to expand Arctic coverage

“Viasat has been undergoing an existential crisis as it competes with SpaceX for the satcom market,” one industry source said. 

Space Force Eyes Commercial P-LEO SATCOM

Space Force Eyes Commercial P-LEO SATCOM
Space Force Eyes Commercial P-LEO SATCOM

“If the Space Systems Command is going to acquire other commercial services in the same fashion that CSCO has been acquiring commercial SATCOM, then that will not serve the warfighter well,” said Rebecca Cowen-Hirsch, senior vice president for government strategy and policy at Inmarsat.

Is It Terminal? Mess Threatens DoD SATCOM & Multi-Domain

Is It Terminal? Mess Threatens DoD SATCOM & Multi-Domain
Is It Terminal? Mess Threatens DoD SATCOM & Multi-Domain

DoD currently maintains 17,000 terminals with “approximately 135 different designs,” GAO said. Those terminals operate across diverse platforms—such as ships, backpacks, vehicles — all with differing system requirements.

Eyeing DoD Biz, Inmarsat Buys Airborne Terminals

Eyeing DoD Biz, Inmarsat Buys Airborne Terminals
Eyeing DoD Biz, Inmarsat Buys Airborne Terminals

While industry remains hopeful, GAO says DoD lacks a plan for integrating commercial satellite communications capabilities.

Air Force To Test Capella’s Rapid Sat Tasking

Air Force To Test Capella’s Rapid Sat Tasking
Air Force To Test Capella’s Rapid Sat Tasking

AFRL will test Capella’s SAR satellites ability to provide “object identification, change detection, and tip and cueing with other military systems,” says Capella’s Dan Brophy.

Survey Says: MilCom Networks Are Fragile, Outdated

Survey Says: MilCom Networks Are Fragile, Outdated
Survey Says: MilCom Networks Are Fragile, Outdated

Those polled said that resiliency and cyber protection are the two most valued requirements for future milcom systems. The survey also found that there is widespread agreement that the current acquisition systems in place across the Air Force, Army, Navy and DoD are too creaky.

EXCLUSIVE Revolutionary SATCOM Vision Hits Raymond’s Desk: AFSPC

EXCLUSIVE Revolutionary SATCOM Vision Hits Raymond’s Desk: AFSPC
EXCLUSIVE Revolutionary SATCOM Vision Hits Raymond’s Desk: AFSPC

The vision itself isn’t the only thing that is needed, industry sources say. A concept of operations is required for how the Air Force will manage different user needs and interact with different industry providers. “The vision is out, but there is no concept of operations,” said one source.