(U) Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) Service Life Enhancement Program (SLEP)

(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).)

Overview: (U)
(U) The DSCS Service Life Enhancement Program (DSCS SLEP) will provide performance enhancements for the last four DSCS III satellites. These enhancements are designed to increase the DSCS tactical system capacity by over 200 percent.

Description: (U)
(U) The DSCS Service Life Enhancement Program (SLEP) is designed to expand tactical system capacity by upgrading the last four of the five unlaunched satellites.  The SLEP includes an upgrade to channels 1-6 with 50 watt traveling wave tube amplifiers, an upgrade to the solar cells, a refinement of gain step attenuation, and an incorporation of a routing switch mod that allows channel 5 to be configured to either the gimbal dish antenna or multi-beam antenna. The SLEP program will increase the overall system capacity to tactical users by more than 200%. The first DSCS SLEP launch is planned for FY98.

User Impact: (U)
(U) The Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) provides Super High Frequency (SHF) wideband and anti-jam satellite communications supporting critical national and strategic requirements for the National Command Authorities (NCA), ground mobile forces of all services, White House Communications Agency (WHCA), Navy, NATO, UK, and Diplomatic Telecommunications Service.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Programmed.
	(U) IOC: 05/1998 (3QFY1998).
	(U) Termination: 01/2009 (2QFY2009).
		(U)  The termination date of 01/01/2009 is an approximate date based upon the projected IOC date for Advanced Wideband Satellite (01/01/2008) an upgraded capability to DSCS SLEP.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Adv Wideband Satellite (AWS), AN/WSC-6(V)X, Atlas, DDS, DISA STEP, DSCS III, Eastern Range, Lightwt Multi-band Sat Terminal, MIDAS, Single Channel Transponder Sys, STAR-T, Wideband Gapfiller

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) MILSATCOM, Satellite Operations, SHF Satellite Systems

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) Major DoD Space Programs, MILSATCOM, National Security Space Road Map.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
30 September 1997

(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).)