The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).

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(U) Air Force Satellite Communications (AFSATCOM)

Description (U):

(U) AFSATCOM transponders are hosted as "passengers" on other satellite systems including the AFSATs, the Leased Satellites (LEASAT), the Gapfiller satellites, the Satellite Data System (SDS), DSCS, and the Lincoln Experimental Satellites (LES). The payload uses the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) portion of the frequency spectrum to provide two-way, record communications between a family of airborne and ground terminals. There are 12 AFSATCOM 5-kHz channels which are independent of other communications on their host satellites. Additionally on the CONUS, Atlantic and Pacific AFSATs, and the CONUS LEASAT, there is a 500-kHz wideband channel. The AFSATCOM 5-kHz channels 11-17 are regenerative, which means that the uplink RF signal at 317-MHz containing 75 bps messages, is converted to baseband; the message bits are amplified, reshaped, and remodulated and transmitted on the downlink at 243 MHz. Processing limits the signal to 75 bps and requires a special radio. AFSATCOM 5-kHz channels 18-22 are non-regenerative as there is no processing done other than the conversion. AFSATCOM is specifically designed for emergency action message (EAM) dissemination, force direction, force report back and Commander-in-Chief (CINC) internetting. The AFSATCOM terminal segment consists of all Air Force airborne and ground communication equipment, required interfaces, and related terminal equipment. These programs include the Air Force Satellite Communications (AFSATCOM) System, MD-1035 Dual Modem Upgrade Program, AN/ARC-171 Receiver-Transmitter Upgrade Programs, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Airborne UHF Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Terminal Upgrade Program and the Initial Network Control Station (INCS).

User Impact (U):

(U) AFSATCOM provides essential secure, reliable, and survivable satellite communications for Air Force Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP) forces and other selected high priority users.

Programmatics (U):

(U) Operational.

• (U) Termination: 01/1997 (2QFY1997).

Images (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name	Title
Added Value to the Warfighter	AFSPC Vision
DSCS III	Defense Satellite Communication System (DSCS) III
FLTSATCOM	Fleet Satellite Communications

Related Initiatives (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name	Title
Adv Narrowband Dig Voice Termnl	Advanced Narrowband Digital Voice Terminal (ANDVT)
Airborne Integrated Terminal	Airborne Integrated Terminal (AIT)
DSCS III	Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III
Enhanced Manpack UHF Terminal	Enhanced Manpack UHF Terminal (EMUT) (aka Spitfire)
Mini-Demand Assigned Mult Access	Mini-Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA)
UHF Follow-on (UFO)	Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Follow-on (UFO)

Related Requirements (U): None.

Related Categories (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name	Title
Satellite Operations	Satellite Operations
UHF Satellite Systems	Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Satellite Systems

Road Map Placements (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name	Title
MILSATCOM	SPACE FORCE ENHANCEMENT: MILSATCOM

Requirements, Funding and Additional Hotlinks (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name
AFSCN History
AFSCN Homepage

Lead Office (U):

Air Force.

Point of Contact (U):

(U) National Security Space Road Map Team, NSSA, Open Phone: (703) 808-6040, DSN 898-6040.

Date Of Information (U):

(U) 01 February 1997

(U) Road Map Production Date: 23 June 2001