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DEFENSE SATELLITE
COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM
(DSCS)
Fig. 11-5. UHF Follow-on (UHF F/O) The DSCS is a general-purpose satel-
lite communications system operating in
UHF F/O systems and is responsible for the Super-high Frequency (SHF) spec-
the system configurations and for their trum. The system is comprised of geo-
communications support to all services. synchronous satellites, a variety of
The main mission of UHF F/O is to sup- ground terminals and a control segment.
port global communications to Naval It provides secure voice, teletype, televi-
forces. UHF F/O provides channels to sion, facsimile and digital data services
replace the 5 KHz narrow-band channels for the Global Command and Control
previously available on FLTSATCOM and System (GCCS). The system also pro-
replaces the 500 KHz DOD wide-band vides communications links for manage-
channel with an appropriate number of 5 ment, command and control, intelligence
and 25 KHz channels. UHF F/O does not and early warning functions.
replace the regenerative, frequency- The primary users of the DSCS are
hopped 5 KHz channels serving the EAM GCCS, Defense Information Systems Net-
dissemination and nuclear reporting mis- work (DISN), Defense Switched Network
sion of AFSATCOM. The Milstar sys- (DSN), Defense Message System (DMS),
tem and the EHF transponders on UHF Diplomatic Telecommunications Service
F/O fulfill these latter requirements. (DTS), Ground Mobile Forces (GMF) and
Each UHF F/O has 18 channels of 25 the White House Communications Agency
KHz bandwidth and 21 channels of 5 (WHCA). DSCS also supports allied na-
KHz bandwidth; essentially doubling the tions.
FLTSATCOM capability. Since there Several types of ground terminals are
are two satellites at each orbital position, in use. The Air Force and Navy are re-
78 UHF channels will be available over sponsible for airborne and shipborne ter-
the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean minals, respectively. The strategic ter-
regions as well as CONUS. There are no minals, AN/FSC-78, AN/GSC-39 and
500 KHz wide-band channels on UHF AN/GSC-52 are maintained and operated
F/O. Flights four through ten have EHF by the Army, Air Force and Navy, de-
transponders for use by Milstar ground pending on their location. These large
terminals. Flights eight through ten also terminals are equipped with 60-ft or 38-ft
carry EHF Ka band transponders for use diameter, high-gain parabolic dish anten-
by the Global Broadcast Service (GBS) nas, have power outputs on the order of
to broadcast missile warning, intelli- 10,000 watts and are capable of process-
gence, video and imagery data to tactical ing thousands of voice channels. Other
units. terminals include Tactical Satellite
All UHF F/Os are Electromagnetic (TACSAT) terminals used by the Ground
Pulse (EMP) protected. Although each Mobile Forces (GMF). Owned by the
channel can relay signals from all current Army and Marine Corps, these terminals
military UHF SATCOM radios (those consist of the AN/TSC-93B, with an 8 ft
that do not require processed channels), dish antenna, and the AN/TSC-85B with
the JCS requires all UHF SATCOM an 8 or 20 ft dish antenna. The Air Force
radios operate in the Demand Assigned TACSAT terminals are the AN/TSC-
Multiple Access (DAMA) mode unless a 94A, with an 8 ft. dish antenna, and the
two fixed CCSs which interface with the 8x10 Imagery 22.2 57 6.25 2.07 8.4
geographically distributed Mobile CCSs, 23 MB Hrs Min Min Min Sec
to execute satellite command and control.
The Milstar Support Facility personnel, DS TPFDD 9.65 9.92 1.09 21.59 1.45
also located in the Operations Building, 250 MB Days Hrs Hrs Min Min
perform ground control maintenance and * Currently limited to 12 Mbps encrypter rates
testing, and hardware and software con- Fig. 11-13 Capacity Comparison
figuration control.
Another unique benefit of GBS is that it
GLOBAL BROADCAST SERVICE can transmit to relatively small, phased
(GBS) array receive antennas mounted on
mobile platforms. This provides the
The Global Broadcast Service (GBS) capability to send imagery or other large
is based on technology of the commercial file products in real-time to aircraft, ships
TV industry to broadcast one-way, very and vehicles in motion.
large streams of data (or video) to large The GBS program leveraged
numbers of small receiver antennas Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS),
simultaneously. The need for a Government Off The Shelf (GOTS)
worldwide, high throughput broadcast technology and Non-Developmental
system became evident during the Gulf Items (NDI) to facilitate faster system
War. Service-owned and leased acquisition and fielding. Additionally,
commercial communications channels the acquisition was divided into three
were so overwhelmed that crucial phases.
information such as maps and GBS Phase I is a continuation of a
intelligence data had to be airlifted to the Concept of Operations (CONOPS)
warfighter. GBS was initiated as the testbed initially placed in service by the
program to fill that need. The GBS is National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
intended to provide a large quantity of The testbed is operated by DISA and
broadcast data to the warfighter, and managed by USSPACECOM. It employs
3x6
3x6 Mbps
Mbps
Flexibility 1xT1
1xT1 Mbps
Mbps
in Uplink/
Downlink (500 NM)
Combinations 19.5 Mbps (500 NM)
(2,000 NM)
2x
1xT1 Mbps
24 Mbps
Primary Injection
16-meter
Terminal 22-inch Rx-only User Terminals
Military Satellite Communications Handbook Volume II, Air Force Space Command
Directorate of Requirements, 2 January 1996
Milstar Communications System Fact Sheet, Air Force Space Command, November 1999
Ultrahigh Frequency Follow-On Communications Satellite System Fact Sheet, Air force
Space Command, March 1999
“Global Broadcast Service (GBS), A ‘Fat Pipe’ for a Lean Military.” TSgt Futrell,
USAF. 76th Space Operations Squadron
Jane’s Space Directory, 1999-2000, Edition 15, Jane’s Information Group, Surrey, UK,
Edited by Davis Baker
Joint Broadcast Service (JBS) Concept of Operations Brief, NRO Operational Support
Office, 1996