Closing the Communications Gap: Military and Commercial Tech Firms Forge Ahead

The communications gap between military and commercial technology sectors has significantly narrowed, enabling greater cooperation and collaboration, said Michael Smith, chairman and CEO of Hughes Electronics, at a recent speech to the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and the U.S. Naval Institute. Smith attributed this shift to the increasing convergence of technology languages between the two worlds, particularly in telecommunications. This convergence is expected to benefit companies like Hughes, as well as their military customers, who are becoming increasingly reliant on commercial communications and information technologies to meet their requirements.

Key Takeaways:

• The communications gap between military and commercial technology sectors has largely disappeared, allowing for greater cooperation and collaboration, according to Michael Smith, chairman and CEO of Hughes Electronics.
• The convergence of technology languages between the two worlds, particularly in telecommunications, is driving this shift.
• Companies like Hughes, which operate in both commercial and military markets, stand to benefit from the increased communication and understanding between the two sectors.
• Hughes is a prime example of a company heavily involved in both commercial and military markets, with involvement in programs such as the Air Force's Milstar and Navy's UHF Follow-On satellites.
• The company has also pioneered the DirecTV system, which has been tailored for military use, and has the largest private fleet of satellites, Pan AmSat.
• The increasing reliance of military customers on commercial communications and information technologies is creating an environment where industry and military can work together to leverage the investments being made in commercial communications.
• Smith is confident that industry and the military will continue to bridge the gap between their worlds as technologies become more intertwined.

Statistics:

• Hughes is now a $5 billion satellite and wireless communications provider after merging its non-telecommunications business with Raytheon.
• Hughes plays a pivotal role in programs such as the Air Force's Milstar and Navy's UHF Follow-On satellites.
• Advanced EHF communications technology is being developed with Hughes involvement.
• Hughes operates the largest private fleet of satellites, Pan AmSat.

Sources:

• Michael Smith, chairman and CEO of Hughes Electronics, as cited in the article.
• Hughes Electronics, cited in the article as a source of information on the company's role in military and commercial markets.
• The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and U.S. Naval Institute, cited as the venue for Michael Smith's recent speech.