PHASE IV

Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm reinforced the requirement for and greatly accelerated the introduction of SHF SATCOM capability on aircraft carriers and amphibious flagships to satisfy minimum tactical command and control (C2), intelligence and warfighting communications requirements while improving Joint and NATO/Allied communications interoperability. To meet the urgent operational requirement, the U.S. Navy obtained and modified U.S. Air Force AN/TSC-93B Ground Mobile Forces (GMF) SHF SATCOM vans for installation on aircraft carriers and amphibious flagships deploying to the Persian Gulf. The modified vans were coupled with the AN/WSC-6(V) standard U.S. Navy SHF stabilized antenna system, the SURTASS modem, 2 low speed time division multiplexer (LSTDMs), and additional

Figure 2-6.-LEASAT coverage areas.

patch panels. The modified SATCOM terminals were designated "QUICKSAT". The initial introduction of these terminals into the fleet officially marked the beginning of Phase I of the U.S. Navy's SHF SATCOM fielding plan (with everything prior being referred to as Phase 0) and provided an immediate operational capability.

Phase II of the U.S. Navy's SHF fielding plan, which commenced in FY 94, will replace QUICKSAT terminals on aircraft carriers with an AN/WSC-6(V)4 terminal. The U.S. Navy will also deploy an SHF Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) modem. This phase replaces the QUICKSAT terminals on aircraft carriers, and adds SHF SATCOM capabilities to more ships.

Commencing in FY97, Phase III will deploy the next AN/WSC-6 variant. The new terminal will be a modem, modular, open architecture terminal capable of providing a full spectrum of SHF SATCOM services and greatly expand the number of installations.

The system configuration that supports Navy SHF SATCOM consists of an SHF RF terminal and supporting baseband equipment. The RF terminals for shipboard use are the AN/WSC-6(V) or AN/TSC-93B

(MOD) "QUICKSAT" terminal. The terminals process and convert the RF signal transmitted to or received from the space segment. The transmit frequency range is 7.9 to 8.4 GHz, and the receive range is 7.25 to 7.75 GHz. The OM-55(V)/USC AJ modems, 1105A/1106 time division multiple access (TDMA)/DAMA modem, and the CQM-248A (phase shift keying (PSK) modems) are deployed on shipboard platforms.

The AN/WSC-6(V) and QUICKSAT configured terminals are compatible with present and future DSCS SHF satellite ground terminals and consist of an antenna group, radio set group and modem group. The antenna group is configured as either a dual or single antenna system. The AN/WSC-6(V)1, with the MD-1030A(V) modem, is used on SURTASS ships equipped with a single antenna. The AN/WSC-6(V)2, with the OM-55(V)/USC, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) or TDMA/DAMA modems, is used on both flag and flag-capable platforms and is configured with either a single or dual antenna. The QUICKSAT terminal is configured with an FDMA modem, single or dual antenna, and deployed on selected aircraft carriers and amphibious flagships. The AN/WSC-6(V) and QUICKSAT terminals automatically track the selected satellite, while simultaneously transmitting and

receiving. An antenna control unit commands the antenna to search for tracking (beacon) signals from the satellite. Upon satellite acquisition, tracking is accomplished automatically.