Leased Military Space Communication Systems

The Navy GAPFILLER satellite system, which consists of the UHF portion of the MARISAT satellite system, represents the first instance of a military Service leasing a space communication capability. This approach involves a marked departure from the traditional acquisition approach employed for military satellites. The Navy LEASAT leased communication satellite system, which will provide the follow-on to the DoD-owned FLTSATCOM satellite system for a significant number of military useres of space communications, will be substantially more capable than the GAPFILLER system. The LEASAT program is briefly described. Key features of the system, spacecraft, TT&C system and contract are presented. Some essential characteristics of a military communication satellite system are identified and the constraints -on achieving them in leased systems of the future are discussed