text: Chapter 3
  SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
  3-31. SATCOM is a general term used to describe all satellite-based communications—it includes
  commercial, military, allied, and civil SATCOM providers. Commercial SATCOM are leased SATCOM
  assets provided by commercial entities encompassing DOD bandwidth, DOD-owned or leased commercial-
  band terminals and gateways landing DOD mission, and commercial SATCOM used by the DOD but
  provided by commercial entities using commercial terminals. Military SATCOM are the SATCOM assets
  owned and operated by the DOD in the frequency bands reserved for use by the U.S. government. It includes
  those systems owned and operated by the DOD. Military SATCOM also includes Enterprise Gateways (to
  include DOD Gateways) and Service gateways.
  3-32. The Army employs a combination of military and commercial systems to support its SATCOM
  requirements. Army forces require a mixture of narrowband, wideband, commercial and protected SATCOM
  for rapid transport of voice, video, and data between the lowest tactical level and headquarters at all echelons.
  The capability to move operational information provides increased situational awareness, enables
  commanders the opportunity to conduct decentralized operations, and extends joint capabilities to the tactical
  level.
  3-33. SATCOM offers many unique features to the operating forces as illustrated in figure 3-1. Using a
  global network of military and commercial communication satellites, operating forces at all levels of
  command can overcome limited infrastructure, execute reachback operations, enable two-way flow of data
  to critical nodes, provide support to special users, and increase overall command and control effectiveness.
  Further, SATCOM provides critical connectivity for maneuvering forces whose rapid movement and
  deployments in non-contiguous areas take them beyond available line of sight communication networks.
  Figure 3-1. Key satellite communications features
  3-34. SATCOM collectively provides an essential element of national and DOD communications
  worldwide. It allows information transfer from the highest levels of government to tactical level for all
  matters. SATCOM supports a variety of media, including voice, video, and data services. The satellites’
  functionality is generally transparent to the user; SATCOM does not create information, but serves as a
  transport medium.
  3-35. SATCOM provides updated targeting information and intelligence updates in near real time. Sensor-
  to-shooter links enable improved situational awareness, allowing Soldiers to assess fire control techniques
  and effectiveness. SATCOM capabilities transmit data such as position, operational status, equipment,
  aircraft conditions, transit data, maintenance diagnostics, and prognostics. Table 3-1 summarizes the general
  SATCOM attributes.