AEHF INTELLIGENCE, RECONNAISSANCE, SURVEILLANCE The Russians have come, the Russians have come Command centers: palu, boutelle + matheson Military + government communications Latest MILSATCOM news 2 MilsatMagazine — January 2010 >5 >25 >31 >17 Milsatmagazine Vol. 3, No. 1—January 2010 >41 Silvano Payne, Publisher + Writer Hartley G. Lesser, Editorial Director Pattie Lesser, Editor P.J. Waldt, Associate Editor Incoming — ISR + News Chris Forrester, Associate Editor The editors >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 5 Michael Fleck, Contributing Editor Jill Durfee, Sales Director + Ass’t Editor Intel — Government + Mililtary Communications Simon Payne, Development Manager Northern Sky Research (NSR) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 17 Authors Command center — Lloyd palum, Harris RF Atrexx Jos Heyman The editors >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 25 Hartley Lesser Command center — Steven boutelle, Cisco IRIS Pattie Lesser NSR The editors >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 31 Published 6x per year by On TArget — atrexx Satnews Publishers 800 Siesta Way Shorten Those Long-Term Leases >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 41 Sonoma, CA 95476 USA Intel — USSR/Russian surveillance satellites Phone: (707) 939-9306 Fax: (707) 838-9235 Jos Heyman >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 45 © 2010 Satnews Publishers Command center — Dennis matheson, Terrestar We reserve the right to edit all submitted The editors >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 57 materials to meet our content guidelines as well as for grammar and spelling consistency. Articles may be moved to >45 an alternative issue to accommodate publication space requirements or removed due to space restrictions. Submission of content does not constitute acceptance of said material by SatNews Publishers. Edited materials may, or may not, be >57 returned to author and/or company for review prior to publication. The views expressed in our various publications do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of SatNews Publishers. All included imagery is courtesy of, and copyright to, the respective companies. Cover image courtesy of Space & Missile Center, Los Angeles CONTENTS Air Force Base. D D ISR Incoming With comsats (communication satellites) and weather satellites in geosynchronous orbits 23,000 miles above the Earth, and photo recon satellites ranging in altitude from hundreds to thousands of miles (depending upon the resolution required for viewing the target area), the purposes of the various military satellites operated by various countries are as varied as they are secret. Additionally, the latest flock of military satellites also carry civil bandwidths for government, non-military use — multi-tasking of the MILSATCOM kind. AEHF to control their tactical and strategic forces Set for launch this year is the U.S. Air Force’s at all levels of conflict through general Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) nuclear war, and supports the attainment of System. Courtesy of SMC Public Affairs at information superiority. Los Angeles Air Force Base, we learn that AEHF is a joint service satellite communications The AEHF System is the follow-on to the system that will provide survivable, global, Milstar system, augmenting and improving secure, protected, and jam-resistant on the capabilities of Milstar, and expanding communications for high-priority military ground, the MILSATCOM architecture. AEHF will sea and air assets. provide connectivity across the spectrum of mission areas, including land, air and Advanced EHF will allow the National Security naval warfare; special operations; strategic Council and Unified Combatant Commanders nuclear operations; strategic defense; theater MilsatMagazine —January 2010 5 missile defense; and space operations and (Canada, Netherlands and U.K.). MCSW is Incoming intelligence. Part of the MCSW’s Protected responsible for acquisition of the space and SATCOM Group, the system consists of four ground segments as well as the Air Force satellites in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) terminal segments. The Army and Navy will that provides 10 times the throughput of the acquire their own terminals. The general 1990s-era Milstar satellites with a substantial characteristics of AEHF are: increase in coverage for users. The first launch of AEHF is scheduled for late 2010. • Primary Function: Near-worldwide, secure, survivable satellite The AEHF system is composed of three communications segments: space (the • Primary Contractor: Lockheed Martin satellites), ground Space Systems Company (mission control • Payload: Onboard signal and associated processing, crossbanded EHF/SHF communications communications links) and • Antennas: 2 SHF Downlink Phased terminals (the Arrays, 2 Crosslinks, 2 Uplink/ users). The Downlink Nulling Antennas, 1 Uplink segments EHF Phased Array, 6 Uplink/Downlink Gimbaled Dish Antenna, 1 Each will provide Uplink/Downlink Earth coverage horns communications in a specified set of • Capability: Data rates from 75 bps to data rates from 75 bps to approximately 8 Mbps approximately 8 Mbps. The space segment consists of a cross-linked constellation of three satellites. The mission control segment controls satellites on orbit, monitors satellite health and provides communications system planning and monitoring. This segment is highly survivable, with both fixed and mobile control stations. System uplinks and crosslinks will operate in the extremely high frequency (EHF) range and downlinks in the super high frequency (SHF) range. The terminal segment includes fixed and ground mobile terminals, ship and submarine terminals, and airborne terminals used by GPS SATELLITE all of the Services and international partners 6 MilsatMagazine — January 2010 GPS With the pending mid-2010 launch of the first Incoming The U.S. Air Force will also be improving Global GPS IIF space vehicle, the ground system is Positioning System (GPS) capabilities via a new prepared to command the new on-orbit GPS ground system software release. The new capabilities include telemetry, tracking, and commanding for the new GPS IIF space vehicle as well as security improvements. The planned transition is the result of extensive testing to ensure this upgrade is transparent and has no impact to military and civil users. GPS is a space- based, worldwide navigation system that provides users with highly accurate, three- dimensional position, velocity, and timing information — 24 hours a day — in all weather conditions. Boeing has been the prime contractor for most GPS satellites and is under contract to build 12 next- generation GPS Block IIF satellites. MilsatMagazine —January 2010 7 IIF capabilities that include a new navigation President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg stated Incoming signal for civil users, encrypted military the realignment is part of a continuing effort code, crosslink enhancements, improved to successfully compete in a rapidly evolving navigation signal accuracy and signal power global defense and security marketplace. increases. The new software also provides Muilenburg said that reshaping the unit robust security improvements to include positions Boeing for further growth in new and “over-the-air” distribution of encryption keys to adjacent markets, while continuing to serve properly equipped military users. existing defense and space customers. While Boeing Defense, Space & Security will retain Preparation for activation of the new its current operating units — Boeing Military software included rigorous developmental Aircraft (BMA), Network and Space Systems and operational testing events including five (N&SS), and Global Services & Support transition exercises. (GS&S) — the realignment consolidates some divisions and makes a number of The new ground system software commanded leadership changes. Chief among the moves current individual GPS satellites during is consolidation of two divisions in N&SS: The numerous testing events and rehearsals. Combat Systems division and the Command, In November and December of 2009, Control & Communications (C3) Networks the new software successfully uploaded division will be unified as the new Network operational GPS IIA and IIR space vehicles and Tactical Systems division. with navigation data and completed normal operational functions. EADS Astrium This improvement initiative continues the Air Force’s commitment to the global community of GPS users. The Air Force will continue to pursue an achievable path Astrium Services has been awarded a maintaining GPS as the premier provider of contract by the European Defence Agency positioning, navigation and timing for military (EDA) for a new preparatory study aimed at and civilian users around the world. coordinating the future military communication needs of the European Union (EU). The Boeing single year pilot project aims at creating a centralized system for the procurement of satellite communications (SATCOM) on commercial space capacity, such as The Boeing Company has instituted a Ku-, Ka- and C-bands. Over the next year, number of changes within the Company’s Astrium Services will map out the SATCOM Integrated Defense Systems’ unit, with the requirements of the European Member States’ realignment effective immediately. The unit respective armed forces, while developing will now operate under a new name: Boeing an operational framework for the European Defense, Space & Security. In announcing the Satellite Communication Procurement Cell changes, Boeing Defense, Space & Security (ESCPC). The aim of the ESCPC will be to 8 MilsatMagazine — January 2010 coordinate and aggregate EU Member States’ NOAA. GOES-P will be placed in