(U) Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Follow-on (UFO)

(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) UHF systems support tens of thousands of stationary and mobile users including manportable, ships, submarines, aircraft and other mobile terminals.  The UFO system replaces the Fleet Satellite Communications (FLTSATCOM) and Leased Satellite (LEASAT) communications satellites and will provide interim Global Broadcast Service (GBS) capabilities with a Ka-Band package on three UFO satellites. UFO also includes an EHF package for encrypted, highly jam resistant, and survivable communications primarily for Navy users. 

Description: (U)
(U)  Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) Satellite Communications provide the essential connectivity to enable dominant maneuver and information superiority within the battlespace. The UHF Follow-On (UFO) satellite system supports mobile ground terminals which include the Army AN/PSC-5 Spitfire, Air Force Miniature Air Terminals, Navy Mini-DAMA terminals, the Joint (UHF) MILSATCOM Network Integrated (JMINI) control system, and Navy Battlegroup and Special Intelligence (SI) Communications.  UFO provides ship-to-shore, fleet broadcast and other priority communications links for tactical users during low intensity conflicts (LIC) and special operations.  UFO provides an end of operational life replacement to the aging Fleet Satellite (FLTSAT) communications satellites.  UFO will provide global coverage through an eight satellite constellation with two satellites covering each of the four geographic footprint areas: the continental United States, the Pacific, the Atlantic, and the Indian Oceans. One UFO satellite will be maintained as an on-orbit spare.  UFO is compatible with Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) technology for improved channel utilization. 

(U)  UFO  satellites F4 through F10 carry a FLTSATCOM EHF Package (FEP). The FEP provides Milstar compatible communications for limited anti-jam capabilities. The EHF communications payloads on satellites F4 and F5 provide 11 low data rate (LDR) channels while satellites F6 to F10 will provide 20 LDR channels.  Satellites F8 through F10 will also be modified with a limited Ka-Band Global Broadcast Service (GBS) system.  A migration of some historical users to other media (including wideband gapfiller and commerical services), proliferation of DAMA, and an option for an eleventh UFO satellite are all hedges against the risk of future constellation degradation.  

(U) The UHF Next Generation  Satellite, shown in blue on the MILSATCOM Road Map, is the National Security Space Architect's MILSATCOM Architectural goal to continue providing communications capabilities which enable battlefield dominance and information superiority.  The strategy to transisiton to the future UHF system is to sustain the current UHF capabilities in the UHF Follow-On (UFO) satellites through a transition period, nominally 2010.  Then between years 2003 and 2005 decide on the preferred approach to provide netted mobile and hand-held voice paging, and Low Data Rate (LDR) broadcast services. Several alternatives are under consideration for this future capability include a geosynchronous UHF-cellular system, a MEO UHF-cellular, and a GEO UHF with a non-space complement such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a communications payload.

(U) Satellite F8 was launched on  March 16, 1998.  When satellite F9 is launched in 4QFY98 it will replace satellite F7 for Atlantic coverage.  F7 will be relocated to provide coverage of the Continental United States.  

User Impact: (U)
(U) UHF systems support tens of thousands of stationary and mobile users including manpacks, ships, submarines, aircraft and other mobile terminals and allows them access to national space systems.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational/Programmed.
	(U) FOC: 10/1998 (1QFY1999).
	(U) Termination: 01/2010 (2QFY2010).
		(U)  The termination date of 01/01/2010 is a temporary date used only to show the follow-on relationship between the UHF Follow-on system and the UHF Next Generation Satellite.  The correct termination date for the UHF Follow-On system will be used once it has been declared.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Adv Narrowband Dig Voice Termnl, AFSATCOM, Airborne Integrated Terminal, AN/ARC-210(V), Atlas, Automated Comms Management Sys, Command Post Terminals (CPTs), Eastern Range, Enhanced Manpack UHF Terminal, Fleet EHF Package (FEP), FLTSATCOM, GBS Phase II, Mini-Demand Assigned Mult Access, Network Control Station (NCS), UHF Next Generation Satellite

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

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

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

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Navy.

Date of Information: (U)
22 September 1998

(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).)