(U) Network Control Station (NCS)

(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)  Air Force UHF DAMA SATCOM Network Control Station provides AFSPC net controllers at the Satellite Management Centers (SMC) with  the capability to assign users a portion of dedicated channels based on requirements and apportionment, allowing greater access to an increasingly scarce UHF spectrum.

Description: (U)
(U) NCS consists of two co-located channel controllers (CC).  Each provides control of 5- and 25-kHz channels in a satellite footprint. The CC is supported by two transmit antennas and one receive antenna. The ops concept includes a primary and alternate controller for each DAMA network.  As a primary controller, the controller both monitors and controls a network.  As an alternate controller, it only monitors network activities.  Major subsystems include:  RF (RT-1771); Modem/Controller (MD-1324, Channel Controller); User I/O (Integrated Data Terminal).

User Impact: (U)
(U)  Interoperable UHF DAMA SATCOM on 5-kHz and 25-kHz unprocessed satellite channels is a JCS requirement per CJSCI 6251-01 dated 31 Jul 96, MCM-89-94 dated 28 Jul 94, MCM-105-94 dated 31 Aug 94, and MJCS-36-89 dated 28 Feb 89.  Failure to equip our forces with UHF DAMA SATCOM could lead to denial of UHF SATCOM channel access.  Beyond Line Of Sight, e.g., SATCOM, communications are of increasing importance as DoD forces continue to modernize and perform missions that previous communication systems can no longer adequately support.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Programmed.
	(U) IOC: 02/1999 (2QFY1999).

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) FLTSATCOM, UHF Follow-on (UFO), UHF Next Generation Satellite

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) UHF Ground Segment Terminals

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

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
20 July 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).)