U.S. Army photo of the SaaMS pilot.

Intelsat completed a year-long pilot program with the U.S. Army offering a fully managed satcom service. The pilot program, known as Satellite Communications as a Managed Service, or SaaMS, is a multi-vendor Army effort to test a leasing model of working with commercial satellite operators.  

Intelsat delivered worldwide coverage via leased satellite terminals and services with support. The scope of the Army’s SATaaMS Pilot included end-to-end managed subscription services to support connections with commercial teleports and internet services.

As part of the trial, Intelsat and the Army conducted pilots at 10 sites around the world. The Intelsat equipment and managed service was in use for nine months and conducted in a wide range of conditions and terrain, including severe cold weather, high-humidity climates, as well as dry and wet conditions.

David Broadbent, president of Intelsat’s Government Solutions said there is a need for “new, more efficient approaches” like managed service. 

“The Intelsat system enables the Army to re-deploy turnkey satcom solutions, where and when they’re needed. This program demonstrates that we can create the flexibility to quickly respond to different types of missions and operations around the globe. We’re able to help the customer maintain a technological edge without constantly investing in network infrastructure,” Broadbent said. 

Earlier this year, the U.S. Army said it plans to use data and soldier feedback from the pilot and other DOD efforts to inform decisions about implementing satcom as a managed service to help the service keep up with the pace of technology advancement.