The current inventory of communications equipment utilized by the National Guard (NG) negatively impacts the capabilities that the NG can safely offer local, state, and federal response agencies. The request from these response agencies range from critical infrastructure security in densely populated areas to search and rescue (SAR) missions in remote areas. It is imperative that the NG assets are able to communicate with their next higher headquarters and any local response agencies at all times, in all scenarios, and anywhere during disasters and/or domestic crisis.

Satellite technology is heavily utilized by military, state and local agencies due to the ability to communicate without the limitations of line of sight (LOS) types of equipment. The Service Members will not only be able to communicate with voice, but also with text and data. In the event of an emergency or injury, a response can immediately be dispatched possibly saving the lives of civilians and/or service members.