if you seriously think that satellites are our only means of communication you have been missed informed. from a signal support systems specialist point of view that has seen the capabilities of the military communication equipment, satellites make up at best no more than 20%. the military is all about having a back up for the backup....for example smart bombs that are satellite guided are can still be guided in by laser with grunt on the ground.....as much as i would love to discuss the military's communication capability and i know this sounds a bit hollywood but it is classified.

 

I would not say the military is utterly dependant upon satellites for communication. I know better, I am ex-Army myself. But to say that we could lose ALL of our satellites and not suffer a severe drop in mission capability would be false. The Navy and Air Force in particular rely heavily on satellites for communication, and many modern weapon systems (especially those designed to keep humans out of harm's way, like smart bombs, cruise missles, etc. rely on GPS navigation. Our ground forces make extensive use of satellites for navigation and therefore communication. Example- M1A2 tanks use GPS to determine their position on the battlefield, which information is carried over short-range radio to all the other units in the battle so that everybody knows where everybody is. Battlefield commanders have an IMMENSE advantage in knowing how the battle is going as it is unfolding without relying on platoon and company level command to give sit-reps. Losing that capability makes us that much less effective on the battlefield.
The Navy uses comsats to communicate with submarines and surface formations far out of standard radio range, as well as for navigation. Yes, every Naval vessel still has personnel that can navigate by chart, compass and speed, but again, combat effectiveness can command-and-control are reduced.

Then there's the non-military aspects. How many TV channel feeds do you think you would have if satellites went down? Answer: how many TV stations still broadcast in your area? They're the only ones who will be able to get a signal to your local Cable Television provider- and they won't be getting feeds from the networks. Bye-bye instant national news. How long do you think telephone landlines will last when the signals normally bounced off satellites are re-reouted to landlines? Again, it's not as if all methods of communication would be destroyed... but they would all be less effective.

Back to your smart bomb example- how long do you suppose it takes to program a GPS-guided cruise missile to target, say, Beijing... vs. how long it takes to insert some grunts with the laser guidance packages to hit the same target. GPS is a BIG deal as far as military capability. Against a well-armed, well-equipped large force, I sure wouldn't want to lose it.

P.S.- how many inertia-guided ICBMs do you suppose we have left? Reckon it's more or less than China? I know which way I'd lay my money on a bet...