(U) Communications/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS)

(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 Communications/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) is a prototype operational system designed to monitor and forecast ionospheric scintillation in real-time and on a global scale.  Timely location of scintillation outage regions would enable the warfighter to modify mission plans and prevent potential mission failures by optimizing and tailoring communications routes, paths, and/or priorities and effectively use satellite communications, navigation, and surveillance assets.  It will include three critical elements.  The first is a space-borne sensor system consisting of seven proven sensors to provide data for global, real-time specification, and 4 hour forecast capability.  The second is a series of regional ground networks that augment the space based sensors for real time, high resolution coverage in theater.  The third is a forecasting/decision aid software package that produces tailored space environmental forecasts and warnings in the form of outage maps for the warfighter.

Description: (U)
(U) The Communications/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) is a prototype operational system designed to monitor and forecast global ionospheric scintillation in real-time.  It will include three critical elements.  The first is a space-borne sensor system consisting of seven proven sensors to provide data for global, real-time specification, and 4 hour forecast capability.  The second is a series of regional ground networks that augment the space-based sensors for real-time, high-resolution coverage in theater.  The third is a forecasting/decision aid software package that produces tailored space environmental forecasts and warnings in the form of outage maps for the warfighter. C/NOFS is a global forecast system rather than a local "nowcast" system which tells you what scintillation is currently occurring. 

(U) C/NOFS would fly seven proven sensors on-board a 3-axis stabilized satellite with a 12 degree inclination at 600-700 km to detect ionospheric scintillation. Ionospheric scintillation causes degradation of satellite communications signals (primarily UHF) and navigation signals.  C/NOFS can also detect conditions that could lead to scintillation and thus provide outage forecasts for affected SATCOM frequencies and potential GPS signal degradation.  One satellite will provide data to users once every 110 minutes, which is usually enough to detect scintillation or conditions leading to scintillation.  C/NOFS can also provide data to the 55 Space Weather Squadron (SWXS) for use in scintillation forecasts and will greatly improve current scintillation notifications and forecasts as well as increase the refresh rate from approximately 6 hours to around one and a half hours.  

(U) C/NOFS is currently under review as an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD).  The acquisition schedule of this program is dependent upon that ACTD.  If the ACTD is approved and the prototype is fielded, then PDRR would be eliminated and the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) time scale would be shortened.  After the shortened EMD period, C/NOFS would be ready to go straight into the production phase.

User Impact: (U)
(U) Timely locations of scintillation outage regions would enable the warfighter to modify mission plans and prevent potential mission failures by optimizing and tailoring communication routes, paths, and/or priorities and effectively use satellite communications, navigation, and surveillance assets.  

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Concept/Technology.
	(U) IOC: 10/2002 (1QFY2003).

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) Improved Space Env. Models

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Space-Based Sensors

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) DoD.

Date of Information: (U)
15 May 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).)