Army taps DRS, Intelsat for pioneering SATCOM service pilot

Published on October 2, 2023

The U.S. Army has awarded contracts to DRS Global Solutions and Intelsat, valued at approximately $3.6 million each, for a pilot program aimed at acquiring satellite communications services in a manner similar to individual mobile phone subscriptions. The Satellite Communications (SATCOM) as a Managed Service (SaaMS) pilot program will provide commercial SATCOM subscription services, including coverage in various locations, terminals, bandwidth, training, and help desk services. The goal is to establish a managed subscription service marketplace for SATCOM capabilities, potentially shifting away from in-house equipment procurement and maintenance. The pilot is expected to begin in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 and could lead to a multi-vendor approach if successful. The move is part of a broader trend in the military to leverage commercial satellite services for greater flexibility and efficiency.

Link to the full article: https://breakingdefense.com/2023/09/army-taps-drs-intelsat-for-pioneering-satcom-service-pilot/

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