The authors present technical pros and cons for space and terrestrial media for defensewide long-haul military communications. Defensewide military space communications include use of leased commercial satellite capability in addition to the government-owned Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS). The terrestrial communications include use of troposcatter, HF radios, line-of-sight (LOS) microwave, and metallic and fiber-optic cables. The authors examine current usage, capacity, cost, and other attributes of these media. Current trends and future uses of the space and terrestrial media for military communications are discussed. It is concluded that military communications can continue best by using a mix of both space and terrestrial media.
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