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Tactical communications at the dismount in 2017 frequently have bandwidths measured in kilobits per second (kbps), are intermittent in nature, and have "real time" latencies measured in seconds. These tactical performance characteristics to and from the dismount will be challenged in the near future by several emerging technologies that increase the Velocity of Information (VOI) delivery and the global access to it via broadband SATCOM based smart phones to drive improved VOIeu (Value of Information to the end user). This paper briefly examines the current state of the art in global SATCOM based digital video ISR/RSTA latency. Then, examines two emerging technologies that are viewed as disruptive to that current delivery model. The first technology is the advent of a 5G LEO SATCOM networks in 2020 offering far less latency in data transmission, while enabling a globally accessible Giga Byte per second GBps) broad band connection from handhelds (SpaceX, Boeing, OneWeb, et. al.). The other technology is an emerging digital video compression algorithm (KT-Tech) that offers far less latency than what currently is thought of as "real time" in 2017. Together, they have the potential for enabling bi-directional broadband ISR/RSTA to or from a dismounts hand held receiver, while providing the performance required for latency intolerant teleoperation needs such as: CONUS based control of high speed low altitude drones based overseas; LOS (Line of Sight) and BLOS (Beyond Line of Sight) control of Remote Weapons Systems; tactical videoconferences (VTCs); Human-in-the-Loop robotic MUMT teleoperation, and Telesurgery. This capability also potentially offers miniaturization that would enable Group IV Predator like "remote split operation” teleoperation and ISR collection conducted over SATCOM to be extended to Group I-II hand launched drones. As part of the presentation, a theoretical use case where Predator like SATCOM based digital HD video transmission performance for ISR/RSTA is moved instead to a Group I-II hand launched UAS is discussed.
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