Exploring The Future Of Military Satellite Communications

By John Oncea, Editor

MILSATCOM USA will explore COMSATCOM updates and SATCOM policy developments, highlighting how regulations and technologies are evolving.

The MILSATCOM USA 2025 Conference is coming to Arlington, VA, June 16-18, aiming to drive SATCOM innovation to ensure warfighter advantage. Dedicated to exploring the future of military satellite communications, this conference brings together over 150 attendees, including a mix of industry leaders and government officials.

Organized by SAE Media Group, MILSATCOM USA promises to provide you with exclusive insights into cutting-edge advancements along with the opportunity to engage with experts shaping the industry's future.

MILSATCOM USA offers a unique opportunity to meet with over 150 key figures, including national military commanders, policy leaders, R&D experts, industry innovators, and businesses entering the SATCOM market, while building meaningful partnerships.

You’ll gain innovative insights from leading experts on technical developments, acquisition strategies, operational updates, and key topics like COMSATCOM, SATCOM for special operations, and cybersecurity for space systems. In addition, you’ll collaborate with peers to tackle challenges, share ideas, explore transformative technologies, and set new standards for the future of MILSATCOM and space communications.

Whether you're looking to enhance your communication capabilities, discover innovative technologies, or establish new business relationships, MILSATCOM USA is where it all comes together.

A Crucial Time For Military SATCOM

As the U.S. Department of Defense and its allies confront new forms of hybrid warfare, electronic jamming, and increasingly sophisticated anti-satellite threats, SATCOM is no longer a support function – it is a mission-critical domain.

MILSATCOM USA arrives at a pivotal moment when the global SATCOM landscape is evolving rapidly. With proliferated LEO (low Earth orbit) constellations becoming a reality, partnerships between commercial and defense sectors are strengthening, and multi-domain operations demanding seamless connectivity, the stakes for robust, resilient, and secure satellite communication systems have never been higher.

The 2025 conference aims to address these challenges head-on, offering attendees direct access to thought leaders who are influencing acquisition priorities, shaping new architectures, and reimagining military SATCOM in both strategic and tactical contexts.

Who Will Be There?

The attendee roster features a dynamic mix of high-level stakeholders across government, defense, and industry sectors. Confirmed participants include representatives from:

• U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM)
• U.S. Space Force (USSF)
• U.S. Air Force and Army SATCOM directorates
• Department of Defense Chief Information Office (DoD CIO)
• National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
• Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA)
• Key players from commercial SATCOM providers and hardware manufacturers

This gathering is more than a conference. It’s a forum for strategic dialogue, technological collaboration, and policy alignment across national and international defense ecosystems. It also offers a platform for emerging companies and innovators to showcase disruptive solutions, making it an ideal event for both established players and newcomers to the MILSATCOM arena.

Conference Themes And Topics

MILSATCOM USA 2025 offers a robust agenda focused on real-world applications, mission assurance, and the future architecture of satellite communications. This year’s program will dive into several critical areas:

• Next-Generation SATCOM Architecture: Discussions will explore the development and deployment of hybrid SATCOM systems combining military, commercial, and allied capabilities. With the Space Force’s emphasis on a more distributed, resilient communications infrastructure, sessions will cover how future architectures can withstand jamming, spoofing, and kinetic threats while providing low-latency, high-throughput services.
• COMSATCOM Integration: With the military increasingly leaning on commercial providers to supplement capacity and enhance global reach, this year’s event places a strong emphasis on COMSATCOM. Attendees will hear from commercial SATCOM providers who are partnering with the DoD to deliver flexible, on-demand communications tailored to mission needs.
• SATCOM for Special Operations: Special operations forces demand agile, secure, and covert communications that perform in austere and denied environments. Dedicated sessions will unpack how SATCOM is evolving to support high-mobility and low-signature missions, with insights into lightweight terminals, low Earth orbit support, and battlefield integration.
• Cybersecurity for Space Systems: In an era where space assets are high-value cyber targets, securing SATCOM infrastructure is imperative. Panels and technical talks will address hardening architectures against cyber intrusions, implementing zero-trust frameworks, and managing supply chain risks. The cybersecurity track promises actionable intelligence for both operators and developers.
• Interoperability and Allied Collaboration: Given the joint nature of modern operations, interoperability across allied forces is a core focus. Attendees will gain perspective on how NATO, Five Eyes partners, and other coalition entities are standardizing communications protocols and fostering satellite link integration to support global missions.

Expert-Led Sessions And Keynote Highlights

The conference will feature keynotes, panel discussions, and technical presentations from some of the most influential voices in the sector. Among the anticipated highlights:

• Clare Grason, Chief of the Commercial Satellite Communications Office (CSCO), will provide an update on acquisition reform and commercial engagement strategies.
• Leaders from the Space Systems Command will share progress on the Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES) and other initiatives driving SATCOM modernization.
• An international panel will spotlight contributions and lessons from allied space forces, exploring how shared situational awareness and connectivity are reshaping coalition effectiveness.

These sessions aim not only to inform but to foster active dialogue between agencies, vendors, and policymakers, reinforcing the MILSATCOM USA conference as a solutions-oriented event.

Why Attend?

For anyone involved in space operations, defense communications, cybersecurity, or satellite technology, MILSATCOM USA 2025 is a must-attend. The conference offers unmatched networking opportunities with defense decision makers and technical specialists, as well as hands-on access to emerging technologies and demonstrations of SATCOM systems and software.

It also provides real-time policy and program updates from the people setting requirements and awarding contracts, and collaboration opportunities that can spark joint ventures, pilot projects, and long-term partnerships.

Whether you're a defense contractor, systems integrator, technology startup, or acquisition officer, this is the place to gather insight, generate leads, and shape the next phase of military SATCOM innovation.

Register And Prepare

Attendees can expect a tightly coordinated three-day program hosted in the heart of the national defense corridor. Arlington offers proximity to the Pentagon, key military institutions, and leading aerospace organizations, creating an ideal backdrop for both strategic conversations and tactical planning.

Registration is now open via SAE Media Group’s website. Early registrants can access discounted rates and pre-conference networking tools. The conference agenda, speaker list, and exhibitor information are available online and will be continuously updated as the event approaches.

As the space domain becomes increasingly contested and communication needs grow more complex, MILSATCOM USA 2025 offers an essential venue to align strategy, technology, and execution. From space-based resiliency to commercial integration, from cybersecurity to tactical mobility, every facet of modern military communications will be on the table.

Join your peers this June in Arlington to be part of the conversation – and the solutions – driving the future of defense satellite communications.