(U) Mobile Satellite Service (MSS)

(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 Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) program modifies and installs the government owned commercial gateway to provide personal communications services. MSS also serves to develop and certify hand-held secure terminals compatible with the MSS network. These terminals support secure communications by adding removable approved Communications Security (COMSEC) cards to approved portable terminals. Part of the MSS program provides funding for a DoD owned Iridium gateway. This gateway will permit DoD users to access this 66-satellite-based system which provides any type of telephone transmission (voice, data, fax, and paging) to reach its destination anywhere on earth. This 66-satellite system tracks the location of telephone handsets and provides global transmission capability.

Description: (U)
(U)  The MSS program modifies and installs the government owned commercial gateway to provide personnel communications services and to develop and certify hand-held secure terminals compatible with the MSS network.  Motorola will provide an enhanced IRIDIUM Gateway, STU-III capable lightweight user terminals/handsets, and IRIDIUM service. A transportable MSS gateway will be engineered and delivered by Loral in early FY01.  This will include the deployable GLOBALSTAR Gateway, STU-III capable lightweight terminals/handsets, and GLOBALSTAR service. 

(U) Beginning in FY02, a follow-on competitive procurement will be initiated to provide upgrades and enhancements to the DoD MSS gateway.  Additionally, the competitive procurement allows for additional secure user terminals and service usage. Gateway enhancements include equipment upgrades/replacements, as well as gateway capability expansion to accommodate for DoD system growth.

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

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational.
	(U) Project Start Date: 10/1996 (1QFY1997).
	(U) IOC: 10/1997 (1QFY1998).
		(U)  Commercial Gateway Purchase FY96
(U)  MSS Contract Award 2QFY97
(U)  Commercial Handset Security Sleeve FY97
(U)  Commercial Technology Start FY98

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) None.

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Leased Services

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

Lead Office: (U)
(U) DoD.

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).)