DoD Frequency Spectrum Issues Coping with Changes: Managing RF Spectrum to Meet DoD Needs

摘要

Frequency spectrum is an essential enabling resource for modern military operations. Wireless communications, radar, EW, and intelligence systems all depend on access to this limited resource. Until recently, DoD has had little difficulty meeting its spectrum needs; however, its ability is lessening as competing military and commercial demands for spectrum access grow rapidly. DoD's mastery at managing its spectrum, both within the Department and at national and international levels, is weakening due to changes in geopolitics, the perceived reduced primacy of defense needs, and increasing pressure for spectrum access by economically important new Radio Frequency (RF) systems. The Communications Act of 1934 established the framework for dealing with spectrum allocation in the United States; it has changed little since. Yet new digital and RF technologies have made possible system concepts unimaginable even 20 years ago. Demands for spectrum reassignments are arising, driven by new communications applications, economic forces, and political pressures. Additionally, international spectrum allocations, essential considerations in Outside of the continental U.S. (OCONUS) deployment of U.S. forces, differ substantially from U.S. assignments. These important changes are not well understood by DoD's leadership. Further, lack of an overall national spectrum policy mechanism imperils consistent management of this critical commodity and the U.S. position in international spectrum governing bodies. Bad allocation choices can be difficult, if not impossible, to reverse.