U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) Nanosatellite Program (SNaP)-3 Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) Concept of Operations (CONOPS)

Abstract

The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) Nanosatellite Program (SNaP)-3 will help pave the way toward assured global access to communications for the disadvantaged tactical user, particularly while on the move. SNaP-3 will provide the United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) and Partner Nations (PNs) with Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) communications and Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) data exfiltration capabilities using three nanosatellites in a Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) constellation. These nanosatellites will provide communications capabilities supporting voice, text, and data device connectivity for remote users in the USSOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR).The SNaP satellites will have the capacity for storing up to three communications waveforms, and providing compatibility with AN/PRC-117 and AN/PRC-152 radios, as well as all other radios conforming to MIL-STD-188-181B. A ground station will provide Command and Control (C2) of the satellites and relay of collected data from UGS gateways, providing Situational Awareness (SA) at the tactical level. SNaP supports the USSOUTHCOM goal of multi-layered surveillance by enabling ground-level detection and monitoring capability through double- or triple-canopy foliage with BLOS data collected from UGS. When fully implemented, SNaP will provide both U.S. and PN Warfighters with reliable and actionable SA in an environment that previously provided very limited BLOS communications for the dismounted warfighter. The true innovation of SNaP is the ability of tactical commanders to directly control and access LEO assets for immediate support to remote users in complex and dynamic environments. A full constellation of affordable and responsive SNaP-like platforms in LEO providing a spectrum of communications and remote sensing capabilities would significantly enhance the connectivity and awareness of remote ground forces and have a profound effect on the nature of distributed ground operations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 04, 2016
Accession Number
AD1092816

Entities

People

  • Juan Hurtado

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplitude Modulation
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Attitude Control Systems
  • Command And Control
  • Computer Programming
  • Digital Communications
  • Earth Orbits
  • Frequency Bands
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Multiple Access
  • Network Protocols
  • Radio Equipment
  • Radio Frequency
  • Software Defined Radio
  • Tactical Radios
  • United States Southern Command

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
  • Space
  • Space - Satellites