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) Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Standard Tactical Entry Point (STEP)

Description (U):

(U) Standardized Tactical Entry Point (STEP) is an initiative to upgrade existing DSCS strategic earth terminals by providing the warfighters with a set of standardized pre-positioned services for entry into the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN). The near-term STEP configuration will provide users with the flexibility to accommodate innovative tactical options to improve data rate capability, voice quality, and delivery of a wide range of services required by the warfighter utilizing DSCS (SHF, X-Band). The standardized, pre-positioned Joint Voice and Data Services (Defense Switch Network , Defense Red Switch Network, Video Teleconference, the Unclassified Internet Protocol Router Network the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, and the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System) will provide the Joint Task Force (JTF) commander access to critical Command and Control networks during the first 30-45 days of a deployment. The Navy will access their Navy Tactical Network via STEP and DISN. This will provide the seamless web for interoperability between Navy and TRI-TAC equipment. Future STEP designs will focus on integrating emerging technology and maintaining interoperability with new Tri-band terminals.

(U) The program will upgrade the 14 DSCS fixed station facilities with a standard set of core Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) services and equipment to better resolve the warfighter's concern about lack of standardized support for tactical forces. Sites at Fort Gordon and Fort Monmouth will be equipped for training and testing, respectively. Specialized equipment within the STEPs link a DSCS satellite to the tactical terminal in the theater of operations and beyond into the area common user system. Interoperability and multi-frequency integration will be part of the STEP system and will feature enhanced capacity, compatible multiplexers, switching capability, and voice and data circuits.

(U) STEP design has been separated into three phases:
- (U) Near-term: Will use military inventories and COTS equipment to realize the proposed STEP capabilities.
- (U) Mid-term: Will incorporate new DSCS subsystems that will be available by 1998.
- (U) Far-term: Will utilize new technology and equipment development designed to improve the STEP efficiency and to meet future growth requirements.

User Impact (U):

(U) To be supplied.

Programmatics (U):

(U) Operational/Programmed.

• (U) FOC: 01/1999 (2QFY1999).

Images (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name	Title
DISA STEP	Standard Tactical Entry Point (STEP) Functional Description

Related Initiatives (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name	Title
Army Terminal Upg & Rpl	Army Terminal Upgrade and Replacement
DSCS II	Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) II
DSCS III	Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III
DSCS Service Life Enhance Prog	Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) Service Life Enhancement Program (SLEP)

Related Requirements (U): None.

Related Categories (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name	Title
SHF Ground Segment Terminals	Super High Frequency (SHF) Ground Segment Terminals

Road Map Placements (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name	Title
MILSATCOM	SPACE FORCE ENHANCEMENT: MILSATCOM

Requirements, Funding and Additional Hotlinks (U):

(U) None.

Lead Office (U):

DoD.

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