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Satcom on the Move (SOTM), or satellite communications on the move, is a phrase used in the context of mobile satellite technology, specifically relating to military ground vehicles. The basic principle behind Satcom On The Move is that a vehicle equipped with a satellite antenna is able to establish communication with a satellite and maintain that communication while the vehicle is moving.
Modern Military Operations often employ commercial satellites to fulfill theater capacity requirements. However, as modern military warfare is highly asymmetric and mobile, military units desire a SATCOM-on-the-move system. Currently, military units procure this capability from SOTM vendors such as EM Solutions, Alico Systems, Boeing, Gilat Satellite Networks, Comtech Mobile, Datapath, General Dynamics, iDirect, Inmarsat (BGAN), L3, Raytheon, Exelis or ViaSat. Comparison between these systems is difficult due to the differences between the technologies and service offerings. Military procurements might benefit from a common set of system requirements from which to evaluate different systems and product offerings. This article presents a survey of the SOTM market, product offerings, and technologies. It concludes with a summary of system technical requirements and drivers for the operation of MILSATCOM-on-the-Move over commercial satellite systems.
History
In recent years, the United States military has expressed high levels of interest in Satcom On The Move technology, driven by former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's call for lighter-weight, more mobile ground forces. This has pushed the commercial satellite industry to create communications satellite systems that support this need.