An Assessment of the Options for Expanding U.S. Tactical Communications Capacity.
Abstract
This paper intends to provide a policy framework for addressing the question: 'How could the US best expand its wartime tactical communication capacity in the European theatre?' The recent Army interest in satellite communications, manifesting itself in the form of the Army Space Institute-sponsored lightsat demonstration project, is seen as a result of the low-level of tactical communication support the Army receives from the FLTSATCOM and DSCS satcom systems. The Army Space Institute, in conjunction with the world-wide Commander-in-Chiefs of the unified and specified commands, are currently in the process of developing a requirement for additional tactical UHF communications support. Five alternatives that could potentially fill this requirement are examined in this paper: lightsat, dedicated geosynchronous comsat, satcom link efficiency improvements, airborne relay and MSE program expansion. These alternatives are compared by the dimensions of cost, information transfer performance and survivability. Theses. (fr)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA197155
Entities
People
- Arthur Zeile
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology