Pentagon not to order ‘one-size-fits-all’ satellites any more
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Whatsapp
  • Linkedin
  • Print
  • Reports noted that in order to bring down costs, the US Defence Department will not order costly ‘one size fits all’ satellites. The Pentagon’s objective is to move towards less complex satellite systems with a lower shelf-life1. This would help reduce cost, increase the number of orders for industry and the Pentagon could also exploit emerging technologies. The move is also meant to counter ‘static’ defence budgets as the Pentagon seeks an improvement over the existing systems.

    The effort is also geared towards streamlining the acquisition process and to look for alternatives to large and complex satellite systems. Defence Secretary Robert Gates has for instance also recommended that the multi-billion dollar Transformational Satellite Program be scrapped. A larger pool of smaller satellites is also expected to be better protected than lesser numbers of large and sophisticated satellites.

    Top