Defense Satellite Communications System

The Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS)^[1] provides the United States with military communications to support globally distributed military users. DSCS will be replaced by the Wideband Global SATCOM system. A total of 14 DSCS III satellites were launched between the early 1980s and 2003. Two satellites were launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1985 during STS-51J. According to the USAF, in early 2008 most of the satellites were still working. DSCS operations are currently run by the 3d Space Operations Squadron out of Schriever AFB.

Background

DSCS went though three major phases - IDCSP (Interim Defense Communication Satellite Program), DSCS- II, and DSCS-III. Since the first launch, DSCS has been the "workhorse" of military satellite communications. All DSCS III satellites have exceeded their 10-year design life. The National Science Foundation are proceeding with plans to use the DSCS satellites to provide additional bandwidth to Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and McMurdo Station on Ross Island on the continent of Antarctica.

DSCS II

DSCS II satellite

DSCS II provided secure voice and data communications for the U.S. military. The program was managed by the Defense Communications Agency (DCA), now the Defense Information Systems Agency.

The space vehicles were spin stabilized with a de-spun antenna platform. The body was mounted with solar cells which produced 535 watts. Three NiCd batteries provided electrical power and it was supported by a hydrazine propulsion subsystem.

The communications payload included two 20-watt X-band channels. The transponders were supported by steerable narrow beam antennas and drive mechanism for communications privacy.

The first DSCS II launch was in 1971.^[2]

Photo gallery

DSCS-2 diagram
DSCS-3 diagram

References

↑ Burroughs, William E. Deep Black. New York: Berkley Publishing Group. p. 187. ISBN 0-425-10879-1.
↑ "DSCS II". Encyclopedia Astronautica.

External links

Current equipment of the United States Air Force

Active service &
Aircraft designation

A - Attack	A/OA-10A/C Thunderbolt II AC-130H/U/J/W Spectre/Spooky II/Ghostrider/Stinger II

B - Strategic bomber	B-1B Lancer B-2A Spirit B-52H Stratofortress

C - Cargo transport	C-5A/B/C Galaxy C-5M Super Galaxy C-12C/D/F Huron C-17A Globemaster III C-20B Gulfstream III C-20H Gulfstream IV C-21A Learjet C-27J Spartan C-37A Gulfstream V C-40B/C Clipper C-130E/H/J/J-30 Hercules CV-22B Osprey

E - Electronic warfare	E-3B/C Sentry E-4B E-8C Joint STARS E-9A Widget E-11A BACN EC-130H Compass Call EC-130J Commando Solo

F - Air superiority & Multirole fighter	F-15C/D Eagle F-15E Strike Eagle F-16C/D Fighting Falcon F-22A Raptor F-35A Lightning II

H - Search and rescue	HC-130P/N King HC-130J Combat King II HH-60G/MH-60G Pave Hawk

K - Tanker	KC-10A Extender KC-135E/R/T Stratotanker

L - Cold weather	LC-130H

M - Multi-mission	CV-22 Osprey MC-130E/H/J/P Combat Talon I/Combat Talon II/Commando II/Combat Shadow MC-12W Liberty

O - Observation	OC-135B Open Skies

Q - Remotely Piloted	MQ-1 Predator MQ-9 Reaper RQ-4A Global Hawk RQ-11B Raven RQ-170 Sentinel

R - Reconnaissance	RC-26B Condor RC-135S/U/V/W COBRA BALL/Combat Sent/Rivet Joint Scan Eagle RU-2S Dragon Lady Wasp III

T - Trainer	T-1A Jayhawk T-6A Texan II (A)T-38A/B/C Talon II TG-10B/C/D TG-15A/B Diamond T-52A

U - Utility	UH-1N Iroquois UH-1H/N/V Huey UV-18A/B Twin Otter U-28A

V – VIP/staff transport	VC-9C VC-25A (Air Force One) C-32A/B (Air Force Two) C-40B/C Clipper

W – Weather reconnaissance	WC-130J Hercules WC-135W Constant Phoenix

Other/undesignated	An-26 (6th SOS) CN-235-100 (427th SOS) Mi-8 (6th SOS)

Space
systems

Launch vehicle	Atlas V Delta II Delta IV

Satellite	Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) Defense Support Program (DSP) Global Positioning System (GPS) Milstar Satellite Communications System Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Wideband Global SATCOM

Ground
systems

C2	AN/USQ-163 Falconer AN/GSQ-272 Sentinel

Ground-based radar	AN/FPQ-16 Perimeter Acquisition Attack Characterization System (PARCS) AN/FPS-123 Early Warning Radar (EWR) AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) AN/FPS-85 AN/FPS-133 Air Force Space Surveillance System (AFSSS) AN/FSQ-114 Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) AN/FSQ-224 Morón Optical Space Surveillance (MOSS) Rapid Attack, Identification, Detection, and Reporting System (RAIDRS)

Ground vehicle	HMMWV LSSV R-5 Refueler R-9 Refueler R-11 Refueler C300

Munitions

Bomb	Mk-82 Mk-84 GBU-10 Paveway II GBU-12 Paveway II GBU-15 GBU-24 Paveway III GBU-27 Paveway III GBU-28 GBU-31 JDAM GBU-32 JDAM GBU-38 JDAM GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb GBU-44/B Viper Strike GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II GBU-54 Laser JDAM CBU-87 Combined Effects Munition CBU-89 Gator CBU-97 Sensor Fuzed Weapon BLU-109/B Bomb BLU-116 Bunker Buster B61 Nuclear Bomb

Gun	GAU-8 Avenger M61 Vulcan GAU-12 GAU-13 GAU-19 M240 L/60 Bofors M102 ATK GAU-23/A M2 Browning Minigun

Missile	AIM-7M Sparrow AIM-9M/X Sidewinder LGM-30G Minuteman III AGM-65A/B/D/E/G/G2/H/K Maverick AGM-84 Harpoon AGM-84E Standoff Land Attack Missile AGM-84H/K Standoff Land Attack Missile - Expanded Response AGM-86B/C/D Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) AGM-88A/B/C High-speed Anti-radiation Missile (HARM) AGM-114 Hellfire Air-to-Surface Missile (ASM) AIM-120B/C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) AGM-130 Powered Standoff Weapon AGM-154A Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Stand-off Missile (JASSM) AGM-176 Griffin Zuni rocket

Target	BQM-34 Firebee BQM-167 Subscale Aerial Target MQM-107 Streaker QF-4 Aerial Target

Small arms

Sidearm/PDW	M11 Pistol M9 Pistol MP5 submachine gun USAF Pilot's Survival Knife

Rifle/Carbine	GUU-5/P Carbine M4 Carbine M14 Stand-off Munitions Disruptor (SMUD) M16A2 Rifle M24 Sniper Weapon System M107 Long Range Sniper Rifle Mk 14 Mod 0 Enhanced Battle Rifle

Support/CQB	M60 machine gun M2HB Browning machine gun M240B Medium Machine Gun M249 light machine gun M1014 shotgun Remington 870 MCS shotgun

Ordnance	M136 AT4 Light Anti-tank Weapon M18A1 Claymore Mine M67 Fragmentation Grenade M72 Light Anti-tank Weapon (LAW) M79 grenade launcher MK-19 automatic grenade launcher

Uniforms &
other equipment

Airman Battle Uniform (ABU)
Battle Dress Uniform (BDU)
Flight Suit
Physical Training Uniform
Service Dress Uniform
Mess Dress
CMU – 33A/P22P-18

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