(U) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) EHF Terminals

(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)  Air Force ICBM Launch Control Center (ICBM LCC) provides EHF communications capability as part of the minimum essential emergency communications network. The LCC terminals will provide ICBMs with another survivable link with the National Command Authority (NCA) to meet JCS availability and message receipt requirements. These links include the Survivable Low Frequency Communications System and the ICBM SHF Terminal.

Description: (U)
(U) Survivable communications are an integral part of U.S. deterrence strategy to convince potential adversaries that launch orders could actually be transmitted to, and received by, the ICBM Launch Control Centers (LCC) when required.  The ICBM Super High Frequency Satellite Terminal (ISST) was fielded as an interim system in 1990.  ISST uses the Single Channel Transponder package (SCTs) on the Defense Satellite Communication System (DSCS).  This system becomes unsupportable beyond 2003.  The DSCS SCT system is not planned to be capable of support to strategic communications beyond 2003.  Strategic systems will transition to the EHF spectrum to assure continued survivable command and control of nuclear forces.

(U) ICBM Launch Control Center (LCC) Terminals provides EHF communications capability for ICBM Launch Control Centers using the Milstar satellites. The below grade portion of the ICBM EHF system located in the Launch Control Center (LCC) and/or the Launch Control Equipment Building (LCEB) must survive and operate without damage/degradation or loss of EAM reception.  The above grade portions of the ICBM EHF system must operate throughout the nuclear weapon induced environments anticipated for the ICBM weapon system resulting from "Near Neighbor" nuclear detonations.

User Impact: (U)
(U) To be supplied.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Programmed.
	(U) IOC: 01/2001 (2QFY2001).
	(U) FOC: 01/2003 (2QFY2003).

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Advanced EHF, EMATS-R, Fleet EHF Package (FEP), Milstar I, Milstar II, MM Guidance Replacement Prog, MM III Sustainment/Deactivation, MM Propulsion Replacement Prog, Modified Miniature Rec Terminal, PK Sustainment/Deactivation, Single Channel Transponder Sys

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) EHF Ground Segment Terminals

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) MILSATCOM.

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

Date of Information: (U)
01 February 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).)