Satellite and Ground Communication Systems: Space and Electronic Warfare Threats to the United States Army

Threats to communication satellites and ground communication systems will present significant challenges to the US Army in a conventional war. The US Army is significantly dependent on satellite communication for the planning and execution of operations. In an austere environment, most of the Army's high-data mission command systems cannot function without satellite connectivity. Potential belligerents' counter-space capabilities can disrupt the Army's access to satellite communication, and US forces operating at northern extremes may not have connection due to geosynchronous satellite geometry. This would leave US forces more reliant on their terrestrial communication systems. Although the US Army has a strong historical precedent for countering electronic warfare threats to its ground communication systems, disciplined electronic protection has deteriorated since the end of the Cold War due to waning threats and to an apparent technological superiority. This leaves the Army with little capability to counter the increasing electronic warfare capability that would target US communication systems. Given the threats to satellite and ground communication systems, the US Army is unlikely to be successful in a conventional war against a comparable adversary without significant change to equipment, doctrine, and training.