The Pentagon wants to create a military satellite Internet, which will operate quickly and conveniently, like a regular internet, with the ability to automatically switch between different satellites in case of intervention or attack. But so far this is difficult to achieve.
Today, the satellite industry is very diverse and different companies using their technology, poorly combined. Unlike mobile networks where a single standard operates, there is no such standard in satellite communication. Therefore, the military is forced to use expensive and bulky equipment-called “pizza boxes”-to connect different satellite networks.
The Pentagon has worked on new hybrid terminals that can be switched between networks with software, instead of changing the device. However, for the full operation of the satellite Internet, it is necessary to modernize the soil stations and establish the interaction between military, trade and allies, experts said.
Although technical issues are solved, creating a single network requires the coordination of many companies and departments.