Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Multi-Service Operational Test and Evaluation-2 Report (with Classified Annex)

Abstract

This document reports the evaluation of test adequacy, operational effectiveness, operational suitability, and cybersecurity of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). The Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT and E) based this evaluation primarily on data from the second Multi-Service Operational Test and Evaluation (MOT and E-2), conducted from October 19 to November 20, 2015, and a cybersecurity Adversarial Assessment, conducted from April 48, 2016. The Naval Command Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COTF), with support from the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) and Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Command (AFOTEC), conducted the operational test in accordance with the DOT and E-approved test plan, approved on October 13, 2015. MUOS is not operationally effective in providing reliable worldwide Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) communications to tactical users. MUOS was able to provide WCDMA communications on a limited scale during MOT and E-2, but MUOS cannot achieve this performance worldwide given the significant problems with planning and provisioning, situational awareness, network management, and capacity. MUOS does not provide a communications capability that will support deployed users as the number increases from the 48 tested to the more than 10,000 expected at full operational capacity. When MUOS works it provides message accuracy and quality of service better than legacy ultra-high frequency (UHF) communications. However, MUOS cannot communicate on all types of networks. COTF did not test fixed assigned networks because of known problems with them. The two MUOS satellites in the test operated at 72 percent of capacity and could not mitigate unintentional electromagnetic interference. There is currently no means to monitor WCDMA radio outages, leading to long outages for tactical users. Failed rekey events can result in widespread tactical communications outages.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2016
Accession Number
AD1011965

Entities

People

  • J. M. Gilmore

Organizations

  • Office of the Secretary of Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Computer Networks
  • Computer Programming
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Data Transmission
  • Digital Communications
  • Information Systems
  • Management Personnel
  • Mobile Phones
  • Multiple Access
  • Radio Equipment
  • Spreadsheet Software
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Voice Communications
  • Warfare
  • Web Browsers

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management
  • Computer Networking

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Space