PTES

Abstract

Develop the Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES) ground system to provide worldwide, anti-jam, Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) communications for tactical warfighters. PTES will utilize the Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) to provide anti-jam communications via military and commercial satellite systems for tactical users in all Services. Initially, PTES will utilize the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system and be expanded later to include commercial satellites. The PTES program is developing a mission management system (MMS), a key management system (KMS) and hub system to enable PTW via transponded WGS satellites, with future extension to commercial SATCOM. PTW modems for user terminals are being developed by the Protected Tactical Service Field Demonstration (PTSFD) and will be separately acquired by each Service and by international partners. PTES addresses the gap in protected communications capability identified in the Joint Space Communications Layer (JSCL) Initial Capabilities Document (ICD), the Protected Satellite Communications Services (PSCS) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and the PSCS AoA Follow-on for Resiliency (PAFR). The PSCS AoA confirmed the validity of tactical user requirements for protected communications. Specific gaps identified that are pertinent to PTES are: protection and connectivity to mobile users operating in a contested environment, and wideband coverage and capacity in concentrated theaters. There is a projected shortfall (i.e. 60-75%) in the needed capacity for protected tactical communications in a contested environment. This gap is especially acute for small, mobile terminals. Secondly, there is a projected shortfall (i.e. 25-40%) in wideband coverage and capacity. To meet the warfighter requirements for protected tactical MILSATCOM and the capability gaps identified in these studies, RDT&E funding is required for architectural development, acquisition strategy development, system requirements and system trades analysis, and engineering, manufacturing, developing, testing and evaluating PTES systems and segments. The current and future space domain demands that space systems be responsive to new and changing threats, and can rapidly integrate new capabilities to make our warfighting force more resilient in a contested battlespace. This agility, survivability, and rapid reconstitution must extend through the entire space warfighting enterprise, to include how we learn about the threat; develop solutions; acquire, test, deploy, train, operate and integrate new systems into the greater system of systems; and ensure our space mission force is ready to defeat a thinking adversary in a complex, multi-domain battlespace. The enterprise will use all of its elements to accelerate decision-making, prototype potential solutions, rapidly integrate decision-making tools and sustain a war-winning capability by delivering multi-domain effects in, from, and through space and cyberspace enabling battle management and resilience options to "fight through." This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver Protected Tactical Enterprise Services (PTES) weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392F and 1206398F. This program is in Budget Activity 4, Advanced Component Development and Prototypes (ACD&P) because efforts are necessary to evaluate integrated technologies, representative modes or prototype systems in a high fidelity and realistic environment.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2019
• Source ID: 643726_1206760F_4_3600_PB_2019

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Cyber
• Space
• Space - Satellites