An analysis of Marine Corps beyond line of sight wideband satellite communications requirements

• Main Author: King, Zaffrenarda L.
• Other Authors: Racoosin, Charles
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/5152

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited === Satellite communications are critical to Marine Corps command and control. Capabilities in the domain of beyond line of sight systems, such as wideband SATCOM, must periodically be assessed for alignment with relevant strategy, policy, and doctrinal publications. The National Security Strategy and other documents are periodically updated to provide direction to the U.S. Armed Forces. This thesis provides an analysis of a broad range of publications that extend from national level strategy documents down to service level doctrinal publications that specifically address how the Marine Corps conducts military operations. The focus is to identify how beyond LOS SATCOM systems can support the key tenets of the NSS and USMC doctrine. The analysis forms the basis for an assessment of current USMC SATCOM systems and capabilities, followed by considerations for future USMC SATCOM systems and capabilities. SATCOM provides capacity, range, and coverage that allow expeditionary forces such as the Marine Corps to operate anywhere, anytime. Beyond LOS capabilities allow us to mass effects from fewer, more widely dispersed forces. This thesis provides an analytical foundation to help shape future USMC SATCOM operational concepts. It may then help shape USMC SATCOM requirements that must be satisfied by new systems.