News Story: Australia’s Military Satcom Ties With U.S. Have ‘Pitfalls’

Wideband Global Satcom (Wiki Info)

By Leithen Francis

Singapore – The U.S.’s increasing presence in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region has implications for military satellite communications, says the Australian Defense Department ’s satellite capability project officer, Sqdn. Leader Daniel Howarth.

“It will mean more challenges,” as the U.S. will increasingly be using bandwidth from its Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellites covering the region , he notes. The U.S., however, has given assurances that Australia will have guaranteed access to the WGS network, Howarth says. But he also explains that the U.S. controls the WGS network, so Australia faces a challenge of ensuring that the U.S. sticks to its commitment and gives Australia the access it needs.

Howarth says WGS is useful to Australia because it provides global coverage as well as the ability to focus on the country’s territory and the Pacific and Indian oceans.

Read the full story at Aviation Week