XTAR Commentary: “Space Attacks: Technology And Contracting Shifts May End Market Dominance”

This article, Space Attacks: Technology And Contracting Shifts May End Market Dominance by Aaron Mehta in C4ISR Digital Edition, May 31, 2013, highlights the key issues that DoD is tackling—how to lower costs while creating a more resilient architecture. Disaggregation through hosted payloads is one approach that will help the Department create the strong, secure, affordable satellite capability needed for the future.  The hosted payload model will bring critical force-enabling technology to the front line warfighter both quickly and efficiently using the economies and investments of commercial satellite operators who have long supported DOD and advocated for a permanent role in the architecture to provide distributed capability and resilience. This includes XTAR whose sole mission is to support the Government user.  The issue, as correctly identified by General Shelton, is institutional inertia, the “naysayers” who want the status quo to remain unchanged.  Embrace the future!  Those who do will be better placed to take advantage of the terrific capabilities and technology offered by the commercial satellite operator community.