"The British military is set to take one of its most significant steps into the digital age with the launch of the first Skynet 5 satellite.
The spacecraft will deliver secure, high-bandwidth communications for UK and "friendly" forces across the globe.
It is part of a multi-billion-pound project that will allow the Army, Royal Navy and RAF to pass much more data, faster between command centres.
The Skynet 5A platform lifts off from Kourou, French Guiana, on Saturday.
It will fly atop an Ariane 5-ECA launcher that is scheduled to leave Earth at 1925 local time (2225 GMT).
A second and third spacecraft will be added at a later date to complete the constellation.
"It's a groundbreaking military satellite system," explained Patrick Wood, who has led the development of the spacecraft for manufacturer EADS Astrium..."
Would this be a good time to ask, "WHAT MILITARY?" Do the few dozen tanks, three guys in a rowboat, and the aging Harriers need to talk to one another THAT often?
Oh hell. You don't think the Falklands are making waves again...
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