Space Force finalizing Enterprise SATCOM strategy

The Space Force expects to release its much-anticipated satellite communications strategy this summer, according to the head of the Space and Missile Systems Center.

Lt. Gen. John Thompson said this week during a Mitchell Institute event the service is putting "finishing touches" on the Enterprise SATCOM strategy, which he expects will "provide some clarity to our partners" in the government and industry as well as allies about the service's vision for SATCOM.

The strategy was initially expected to be released at the end of 2019 but was delayed to last summer and then pushed to this year. The service has been working for several years to determine how to procure and manage SATCOM and the new vision has been informed by that process.

Thompson said the service will host an industry forum once the strategy is released to provide an opportunity for commercial partners to offer feedback and to discuss capabilities and their future plans.