(U) POLAR ADJUNCT II

(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)  Polar Adjunct II is an upgrade of the Polar Adjunct I satellites and provides urgently required, protected communications services to U.S. Forces in the Northern Polar Region.  The satellite primarily supports submarine connectivity with secondary support to naval surface forces. These communications satellites provide communications services to ground-fixed and transportable, airborne, submarine and ship terminals for global connectivity.  The Polar Adjunct program provides a limited EHF capability at latitudes above 65 degrees North. 

Description: (U)
(U) Provides urgently required, protected communications services to U.S. Forces in the Northern Polar Region -- primarily supports submarine connectivity with secondary support to naval surface forces.  Modified EHF communications payload from a UFO satellite placed on a classified host to provide coverage over 65 degrees North for 14 hours per day.  Both an earth coverage and a 5 degree spot beam are available to support the one 4-channel and one 16-channel group capability.  This is an interim solution until final capability is provided in accordance with the DoD MILSATCOM Architecture.  The Air Force has committed to funding a third polar (hosted) package that will sustain 24 hour polar EHF capability into the 08-09 time frame.  

User Impact: (U)
(U) Without a Polar EHF capability, critical naval and SIOP users will be without protected communications above 65 degrees North.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Programmed.
	(U) IOC: 10/2001 (1QFY2002).
		(U)  Initial Launch Capability expected FY02.
	(U) Termination: 01/2014 (2QFY2014).
		(U)  The termination date of 10/01/2014 is an approximate date based upon the projected IOC date for Protected Polar Replenishment system (10/01/2011)  a Follow-On capability to Polar Adjunct II.

(U) Organizations and Funding:
	(U) Air Force: Funding Source.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) AN/USC-38 (V), POLAR ADJUNCT I

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) EHF Satellite Systems

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

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

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