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).

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(U) Single Channel Transponder System (SCTS)

Description (U):

(U) The Single Channel Transponder System (SCTS) was fielded in 1985 as an interim system to provide jam, nuclear resistant communications to U.S. strategic forces. SCTS was to bridge the gap between the Air Force Satellite Communications (AFSATCOM) system and the new Milstar EHF satellite communications system. It provides SHF one-way satellite communications between the command centers and the nuclear- equipped ground forces through the fixed ICBM SHF Satellite Terminals (ISST) and the mobile Single Channel Transponder Receivers (SCTR). In addition, the SHF uplink from the command centers can be cross-banded through the satellite to UHF for reception by Dual Modem terminals located on bombers and tankers. The satellite element of SCTS uses the SCT package on the DSCS satellite system. The DSCS satellite is not planning to support strategic communications beyond 2003. Strategic ground systems will transition to the EHF spectrum. The ground terminals will be replaced by the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) EHF terminals and the Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminal (SMART-T).

User Impact (U):

(U) The system provides one of the survivable means of disseminating Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) and Force Direction Messages (FDMs) from the National Command Authorities (NCA) and the warfighting CINCs.

Programmatics (U):

(U) Operational.

• (U) Termination: 01/2003 (2QFY2003).

Images (U):

(U) None.

Related Initiatives (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name	Title
Adv Wideband Satellite (AWS)	Advanced Wideband Satellite (AWS)
Army Terminal Upg & Rpl	Army Terminal Upgrade and Replacement
DSCS III	Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III
DSCS Service Life Enhance Prog	Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) Service Life Enhancement Program (SLEP)
ICBM EHF Terminals	Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) EHF Terminals
SMART-T	Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical-Terminal (SMART-T)

Related Requirements (U): None.

Related Categories (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name	Title
SHF Ground Segment Terminals	Super High Frequency (SHF) Ground Segment Terminals

Road Map Placements (U):

This Table Is Unclassified.

Name	Title
MILSATCOM	SPACE FORCE ENHANCEMENT: MILSATCOM

Requirements, Funding and Additional Hotlinks (U):

(U) None.

Lead Office (U):

Air Force.

(U) DoD: OASD(C3I), Pentagon, Washington, DC
(U) Service Staff: SAF/AQII, SAFCIC/SYOA, Pentagon, Washington, DC
(U) Major Command: HQ, Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), Peterson AFB, CO
(U) Program Management: MILSATCOM Terminal Programs, ESC/MC, Hanscom AFB, MA

Point of Contact (U):

(U) Lt Craig Stevens, Open Phone: DSN 833-4896.
(U) Lt Claudine Davenport, ESC, Open Phone: (781) 271-5689.

Date Of Information (U):

(U) 12 November 1997

(U) Road Map Production Date: 23 June 2001