[Satellite TODAY 09-29-11] U.S. Space completed a $291,159 contracted study of feasible acquisition alternatives to satisfy military satellite communications needs for the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Military Satellite Communications Directorate, the company announced Sept. 28.

   The U.S. Space study identified and examined alternative approaches to the existing military satellite acquisition model. The study recommended alterations to enable faster, more cost-effective, and more efficient solutions to meet U.S. Government needs, the company said.

   “The government must start doing business differently in order to provide our warfighters with all the satellite communications capabilities they need. The study recommends the use of innovative methods to acquire a portion of the dedicated Milsatcom capabilities by leveraging the commercial capital markets through a service provider to finance the needed capabilities,” U.S. Space CEO Air Force Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Craig Weston said in a statement. “All we need now is for the government to select the best of several models and for industry to step up. U.S. Space stands ready.”