Any general who would rely solely on satellite communications being still operable in time of actual war should be shot. That would be the enemy's first target. Our hi-tech comm systems are vulnerable to disruption. I sincerely hope that the Pentagon has in place a fall back position to the old communications systems that are very reliable. The only other method I can think of would be bouncing a laser off the moon, if it's not cloudy............
Advanced Airborne Networking Demonstrated by Boeing, U.S. Air Force
Better than a satellite...