By Peter J. Brown

The U.S. Defense Department (DoD) is constantly looking for the best ways to use cutting-edge satellite technology, while at the same time using increasing amounts of commercial satellite bandwidth. There is a high priority placed on any space-related activity when it comes to national security.

The search is on for high-capacity solutions that can tap flexible spotbeams, ensuring secure, jam-free communications. Satellites, ground terminals, teleports, and their respective command and control elements are all part of the mix.

The prime contractors within the satellite industry are not the only companies that DoD is eager to do business with. Smaller companies and start-ups may want to contact the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (SADBU) at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). The chief of DISA’s SADBU office is Sharon Jones, and she can be reached at (703) 607-6436. She will set up a small business appointment with vendors who contact that office. The small business appointments are usually held on a Tuesday and are limited to 30 minutes. The SADBU office has many responsibilities, including taking the necessary steps to ensure that DISA meets and exceeds its small business goals.

Currently, the SADBU office does not conduct public meetings, seminars or conferences for small businesses. However, the office does send speakers to many public meetings, seminars or conferences throughout the year, and it is currently planning a small business seminar for 2005.

And what exactly does DoD consider cutting edge in space? In this context, cutting edge refers to things such as a Virtual Mission Operations Center (VMOC), which uses secure Internet Protocols as the basis for satellite connectivity and even satellite command and control. VMOC was developed by the Air Force Space Battlelab, Army Space and Missile Defense Battle Lab, Naval Research Laboratory and NASA’s Glenn Research Center. One of the objectives for this office is to get real-time data and imagery to the forces that need it, along with any requisite databases.

System interoperability, situational awareness and automated machine-to-machine interactions are all encapsulated in this relatively small project, which provides a brief snapshot of the way in which DoD does what it takes to keep satellite technology evolving in a constant stream.

The creation of the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) places a new set of demands on anyone attempting to understand what DoD now needs in terms of satellite communications. This past June, for example, USNORTHCOM and the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff conducted Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration 2004 (JWID), an annual event that, "enables combatant commanders, national civil authorities and the international community to investigate command and control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) solutions that focus on relevant and timely objectives for enhancing coalition interoperability and exploring new partnerships."

The JWID is all about new and emerging information technologies in a simulated warfighting environment, and this year, the theme was "Forging New Coalitions," which marked the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the National Guard Bureau coming aboard. More information can be found on the Web site http://www.jwid.js.mil.

The U.S. Air Force, DISA and its contracting arm, the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO), and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) may rank as the three primary satellite industry points of contact within DoD. Companies seeking to do business with DoD, however, are advised to monitor all the other branches of the military, including the U.S. Navy, Army and Coast Guard because they have a variety of satellite-related missions and programs, including next generation fixed and mobile ground terminals.

Is there a single document that outlines a roadmap or a long-term view of the DoD satellite strategy?

A DISA spokesperson directs companies to the Transformational Communications Architecture (TCA), version 1.0, which was approved by a Joint Requirements Oversight Council Memorandum (JROCM) dated October 23, 2003.

The JROCM reviews innovative, new technologies in relation to potential enhancements of operational capabilities, according to DISA, and the architecture defines a long-term view for transformation. TCA, with its emphasis on IP-driven interoperability, for example, is the enabler for new solutions like the VMOC.

The TCA documents the next generation communications capability for a global end-to-end, seamless system as a part of the Global Information Grid (GIG) and includes the Wideband Gapfiller System (WGS or next generation wideband), Mobile User Objective System (MUOS or next generation narrowband), Advanced EHF (next generation protected), Transformational Communications Satellite (TSAT) and an Advanced Polar System for various strategic missions.

Apparently, DISA does not issue a Forecast of Contract Opportunities, a situation we have encountered elsewhere such as at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As a result of the study DISA conducted for the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration (ASD NII) this past year, DISA will publish an annual report projecting emerging requirements in a two- to three-year window.

The DoD Space Plan effort is headed by Peter Teets, who serves as undersecretary of the Air Force, director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and DoD Executive Agent for Space.

Renewed Optimism For Ka-Band

The future appears bright for Ka-band or X-band projects, according to DISA. There are several projects including WGS, which will serve the diverse needs of both X-band and Ka- band satellite users. WGS is the first Ka-band communications capability for DoD users.

As for the DoD teleports that currently support X-band services, they are being upgraded to support converged services in X-band and Ka-band, according to the DISA Web site http://www.disa.mil/main/prodsol/teleport.html.

The DoD Teleport System integrates, manages and controls a variety of communications interfaces between the Defense Information System Network (DISN) terrestrial and tactical SATCOM assets at a single point of presence. It is described as an extension of the Standardized Tactical Entry Point (STEP) program, which currently provides reach-back for deployed warfighters via the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) X-band satellites.

Underway is a three-phase implementation called Generation One architecture, which provides satellite connectivity for deployed tactical communications systems operating in X- band (DSCS and follow-on X-band satellites), commercial C- and Ku-bands, Ultra High Frequency (UHF), Extremely High Frequency (EHF) SATCOM and initial Ka-band capabilities.

By FY07, Generation Two should add Ka-band terminal interfaces to the WGS program, along with X-band coverage, while Generation Three is adapted for the Advanced EHF System, Advanced Narrowband System, and the Advanced Wideband System, including baseband equipment upgrades.

Therefore, tactical ground terminals that will operate in the Ka-band are being developed. In addition, a new Internet Protocol (IP) modem is being investigated to operate on C-, X-, Ku- and Ka-bands. The operational Global Broadcast System is using Ka-band transponders hosted on three Navy UHFO satellites, and will continue on the WGS. DoD will also take advantage of emerging commercial-based X and Ka-band systems in the follow-on commercial SATCOM acquisition.

U.S. Air Force Satellite Programs On Track

According to a USAF Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) program official, current plans call for three Advanced EHF (AEHF) GEO satellites, three to five Wideband Gapfiller Satellites (WGS), several Transformational Satellites (TSAT), and a trio of satellites that will make up the Advanced Polar System (APS). The first three out of five planned WGS satellites will be launched by late 2006 with two more scheduled starting in 2009. The three AEHF satellites start going up in 2007, while the fleet of Transformational Communications-MILSATCOM (TCM) satellites, which includes TSAT and APS, do not appear until 2012.

The primary contractor for the WGS program is Boeing Satellite Systems, and the primary contractor for the AEHF program is Lockheed Martin Space and Strategic Missiles.

The long-term vision is outlined at the SMC Web site http://www.losangeles.af.mil/. Bear in mind that DISA stipulated that no interviews would take place as this article was unfolding, and so the language provided by contacts at SMC and DARPA is available online in many instances.

The future USAF MILSATCOM strategy centers on the DoD TCM system containing two types of satellites and their network control elements. TSAT consists of a ring, currently envisioned as five satellites, that is fully crosslinked and hardened for the strategic mission, providing multi RF-band and laser services to support military strategic, protected tactical and Airborne /Space Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (AISR / SISR) users. APS, currently envisioned as a three-satellite constellation, supports strategic and national users in the polar region. The APS satellites are also hardened for the strategic mission, have EHF payloads, and use both RF and laser crosslinks to establish ring connectivity with the TSAT and APS constellations. No launch date for APS was provided, although it is probably out at least a decade.

The TCM satellite and ground systems are required to be backward compatible with the AEHF system, which we will discuss in greater detail. Both systems provide interconnected, or crosslinked, communications capabilities in orbit allowing communications from one global point within a single satellite’s coverage area to be transmitted directly to another point through one or more satellites on the globe without bouncing the communications signal through ground-based stations. WGS satellites do not provide this capability; they communicate to ground stations or transponders.

The planned objective is ambitious. TSAT must transmit upwards of 100 Mbs of downlink data to a protected user with a 2-ft. antenna, and receive more than T1 rates (1.544 Mbps) of data from a user with a 2-ft. antenna.

This reduction in terminal antenna size will provide a new Communications-On-the-Move (COTM) capability. The higher protected data rates provided by TSAT will significantly decrease the time required to receive vital information. TSAT will provide a dynamic allocation of data rates depending upon the severity of the jamming or adverse weather conditions, which offers a greater level of protection to traditional wideband users. Both airborne and space-based ISR assets will also be supported at high data rates using RF and laser links.

TCM will provide unprecedented satellite communications with Internet-like capability that extends the Global Information Grid (GIG) to deployed/mobile users worldwide and delivers an order of magnitude increase in capacity. Additionally, TCM will enable worldwide real-time connectivity to air and space intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets, providing increased situational awareness and targeting information to the warfighter.

These advances come from the incorporation of new technologies such as advanced laser, RF and packet switching, which will deliver high reliability, survivability and responsiveness communications. The end goal is to eliminate communications as a constraint to the warfighter via Network-Centric interoperability, which is the primary focus of TCM.

The TCM Mission Operations Segment (TMOS) focuses on developing the software that implements the network aspects of the system. The TMOS segment will consist of two elements. The TCM Network Management Element (TNME) will provide the real-time and near real-time services necessary to manage the operation and configuration of the network, while the TCM Operations Management Element (TOME) will provide the long-term policy, network management and operational planning function. TMOS may be implemented at a central location or geographically disbursed based on user requirements. The TCM system will deliver more than an order of magnitude improvement in connectivity, capacity, interoperability, availability, security and speed.

The TSAT program currently is in the system design review phase of the program, and has multiple contractors for both the space segment and the ground segment. A subsequent space segment acquisition phase will be conducted under full and open competition and will result in a single prime contractor to develop, build and field the TCM space segment. Contract award for the next phase is currently scheduled for 2006. The next phase of the ground segment acquisition will be conducted under full and open competition to select a single prime contractor for the system design and development phase of the program. Current contracts were awarded in November 2003. The contract award for the next phase of the ground segment is currently planned to be competed in early 2005.

WGS Comes First, Then Comes AEHF

The multiservice program known as WGS kicks off in 2005 with the launch of the highest capacity communications satellite in the existing DoD fleet. Ultimately, the three to five WGS satellites will add both X-band and two-way Ka-band services to the existing X-band capabilities of the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) and one-way Ka-band service provided by the Global Broadcast Service. Besides providing essential communications services for the Combatant Commanders (COCOMs) to command and control their tactical forces, users will rely on WGS to provide high-capacity connectivity into the terrestrial portion of the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN).

Later in this decade, the AEHF satellite and ground system will be required to be backward compatible with the Milstar satellite constellation. The AEHF system is the follow- on to the Milstar system, augmenting and improving on the capabilities of Milstar, and expanding the Milsatcom architecture to enable transformational communications and network- centric warfare. AEHF will provide connectivity across the spectrum of mission areas, including land, air, and naval warfare; special operations; strategic nuclear operations; strategic defense; theater missile defense; and space operations and intelligence. AEHF also will allow the National Security Council and Unified Combat Commanders to contact their tactical and strategic forces at all levels of conflict through general nuclear war and support the attainment of information superiority.

The AEHF system is a joint service satellite communications system that provides near-worldwide, secure, survivable and jam-resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea and air assets. The system will provide up to 100 times the capacity of the 1990s Milstar satellites, servicing up to 4,000 networks and 6,000 terminals. Assuming a full constellation of three AEHF’s and a single TSAT, this provides continuous 24-hour coverage between 65 degrees N and 65 degrees S latitude.

In addition, the AEHF system will provide warfighters with broadcasting, data networking, voice conferencing and strategic report-back capabilities. Likewise, it will provide commanders with the advantages of near-worldwide coverage, multi-user connectivity, protected data and ease of use. Finally, the AEHF system is a multinational effort with international partners from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Canada. These international partners will gain access to the AEHF network through their own terminals.

The AEHF system is composed of three segments: space (the satellites), terminals (the users) and mission control and associated communications links. The segments will provide communications in a specified set of data rates from 75 bps to approximately 8 Mbps.

The space segment consists of a cross-linked constellation of satellites to provide worldwide coverage. 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 at extremely high frequency (EHF), and downlinks at super high frequency (SHF).

The terminal segment includes fixed and mobile ground terminals, ship and submarine terminals, and airborne terminals. User terminals supported by AEHF include Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical-Terminal (SMART-T), Single Channel Anti-Jam Man Portable (SCAMP), Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-sight Terminals (FAB-T) and Navy Multiband Terminals (NMT).

The AEHF satellites will respond directly to service requests from operational commanders and user terminals providing real-time, point-to-point connectivity and network services on a priority basis. On-board signal processing will provide protection and ensure optimum resource utilization and system flexibility among the military services and other users who operate terminals on land, sea and air. The AEHF system will be backward compatible with the low data rate and medium data rate capabilities of legacy Milstar satellites and terminals, while providing extended data rates (XDR) and other improved functionality at substantially less cost than the previous system.

At the U.S. Navy’s Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), mobile work is under way on the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), an advanced narrowband Satcom constellation for use by all services. It represents a quantum leap forward, while offering backwards compatibility with the huge number of legacy UHF radios deployed today as part of the Ultra High Frequency Follow On (UFO) satellite system. MUOS is scheduled to start flying in 2008 with a full deployment by 2013.

DARPA Focuses On Assured Use of Space

In a March 2004 document titled "Bridging The Gap," which can be reviewed on the Web site http://www.darpa.mil/DARPATech2004/pdf/BridgingTheGap.pdf, DARPA outlines the five elements of its current space agenda:

• Access and Infrastructure refers to rapid and affordable access to space;
• Situational Awareness refers to knowing what else is in space and what that "something else" is doing;
• Space Mission Protection refers to protecting U.S. assets in space from harm;
• Space Mission Denial refers to preventing adversaries from using space to harm the United States. or its allies; and
• Space-based Engagement refers to reconnaissance, surveillance, communications, and navigation to support military operations on earth, extending what the United States does so well today.

The first four are clearly in DARPA’s domain, whereas the fifth is considered the primary research activity of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) with DARPA playing a complementary role. The document examines recent examples of DARPA’s space programs including Responsive Access, Small Cargo, Affordable Launch (RASCAL); Orbital Express; Space Surveillance Telescope (SST); and Force Application and Launch from the Continental United States (FALCON).

The primary offices at DARPA involved in space activities are the Tactical Technology Office and the Special Projects Office (SPO). For more information, visit the Web site http://www.darpa.mil/tto/programs.html. Simply scroll down to the bottom where the space programs are listed. Additional information also can be found at http://www.darpa.mil/spo/area_descriptions/space_overview.htm.

At DARPA SPO, Novel Satellite Communications is an activity that might be worth monitoring. Otherwise, the SPO outlines its space and satellite-related interests as follows: "Example technology thrust areas may include, but are not limited to: novel access and propulsion concepts; innovative sensor systems concepts in support of the spectrum of space control application to include extremely large, yet lightweight and stowable aperture technologies; lightweight and low mass active/passive membranes and large space structures that have extremely small payload volumes; active damping and smart materials for precision control of space structures; self assembly and/or manufacture; novel space-based sensor modalities and systems; high performance micro-and picosat systems; and next generation power generation systems including electrodynamic and momentum tethers, and advanced solar and nuclear systems."

DARPA solicits research performers by issuing call orders that are published on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) Web site http://www.darpa.mil/body/information/proposal.html. DARPA tends to issue separate solicitations for each individual program, as opposed to broad listings for a particular business category or scientific discipline.

These solicitations are also reprinted on the DARPA Web site http://www.darpa.mil/baa/. The DARPA Web site also has information about ongoing research programs, along with a review of the research areas for each of DARPA’s technical offices. This will allow a company to determine which program manager has expertise in its technology area, and program managers can be contacted via the "Directory of DARPA Technical Staff" link on the DARPA home page.

DARPA is also very active in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, with estimated budgets of $45 million and $2.5 million respectively, each year. DARPA participates in many SBIR conferences and meetings. Interested parties can contact the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at DARPA via email at [email protected] or by phone at (703) 526-4170. They also have information on their Web site http://www.darpa.mil/sbir/.

Likewise, DARPA topics are included (along with topics from other DoD organizations) in the semi-annual DoD SBIR program solicitations, and the annual DoD STTR program. For more information on the semi-annual SBIR program solicitations, visit the Web site http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir/homepg.htm.

DARPA also holds a major briefing to industry approximately every 18 months. This conference, known as "DARPATech," lasts approximately three days and provides industry with information on DARPA programs and research needs. It includes briefings, DARPA exhibits and opportunities to meet privately with DARPA program managers. The most recent conference was held in March, and is still an excellent source of information concerning future investment needs. Speeches from past DARPATechs are available online at http://www.darpa.mil/DARPATech2004/proceedings.html. Simply scroll down to the section titled "VSO."

And so how does one tap into any existing DARPA partnerships with large-scale satellite systems and service providers, if they exist? A DARPA spokesperson recommends that if there is an existing contract in place, a new company could become involved by contacting the current contractor to see if that company was interested in a partner or subcontractor. Or the company could contact the DARPA program manager to see if the technology was of interest to DARPA as an additional effort.

GAO Report: Industry Still Not Comfortable

Last December, the GAO issued a report titled, "Strategic Approach Needed for DoD’s Procurement of Commercial Satellite Bandwidth." The report underscored the fact that the current DISA process for acquiring commercial satellite bandwidth is viewed by users as too complicated, too expensive and too time consuming at a time when DoD is demonstrating a very healthy appetite for commercial satellite bandwidth. Users are bypassing the system, and according to the GAO, 20 percent of the DoD money spent on satellite capacity bypassed DISA.

Bear in mind that there is widespread agreement that the total amount spent on satellite bandwidth is simply unknown, and that estimates for this gap range from 16 to 25 percent of the known expenditures.

DISA reports that it has taken the GAO report and other similar reports very seriously. DISA has also been proactively working with customers to get their views on the current process for obtaining commercial Satcom bandwidth and capabilities.

Currently, DISA leases commercial satcom services through two contractual vehicles, known as the Managed Transponder Contract (MTC) and the DISA Satellite Transmission Systems- Global (DSTS-G) Contract. The DoD would like commercial Satcom to be flexible in acquisition to adjust to changing milsatcom capabilities and operational realities. In this context and also per recommendations from GAO, DISA is in the process of developing a capability-based, best practice strategy for acquiring commercial Satcom and implementation of a more strategic approach to optimize spending.

As for the status of the ad hoc satellite-related working groups which involve private industry under the SIA and DoD, a commercial Satcom forum between the SIA and DoD was held last March. All of the major commercial Satcom service providers attended this forum along with the representatives from U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), DISA, all the military services, the Combatant Commands and the U.S. Coast Guard.

According to DISA, this meeting provided a platform to exchange information and ideas and to better understand each other’s constraints and requirements such as the important role commercial Satcom has and will continue to play to support DOD requirements; the difficulty in planning for future deployments; and hence a need for a more flexible acquisition and management approach.

Three working sub groups were established during this forum that addressed in turn the handling of commercial best practices, commercial satellite asset protection as part of a broader emphasis on critical infrastructure and operational management issues.

These working groups will provide the necessary dialogue between DoD and the commercial industry to create an effective partnership, according to DISA. But industry sources are not so sure. Many are apparently dissatisfied with shape and substance of the contract vehicle concept that is emerging, and there is a sense that the working group process may well be irrelevant to the outcome. In other words, the contract vehicle in question has been crafted absent sufficient industry input and review.

Is it a done deal as many suspect? We will have to await the publication of the vehicle.

Editor’s Note: This is the second of our two-part government series. Even though many commercial satellite companies are working with the DoD, we hope the additional procurement channels and needs of the DoD relayed in this article will be useful. Last month, we examined the satellite network needs of the Department of Homeland Security.

Peter J. Brown is Via Satellite’s Senior Multimedia & Homeland Security Editor. He also volunteers as a satellite technology and communications advisor to the Maine Emergency Management Agency.