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	Director, Operational Test & Evaluation
	FY98 Annual Report

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2010

The ultra-high frequency (UHF) Follow-On (UFO) Satellite System will provide UHF communications and Super-High Frequency (SHF) anti-jam command and broadcast capabilities through four pairs of geosynchronous satellites to more than 5,000 tactical users worldwide. UFO's unique communication capabilities will enable our forces to maintain information superiority throughout the battlefield, enhancing the dominant maneuver force's ability to react quickly in battle and operate inside the enemy's decision cycle. UFO will provide the warfighter with key command, control, and communications capability well into the 21st century.

UFO satellites will eventually replace the current Navy fleet satellites and leased satellites as they approach the end of their mission lives. The UFO constellation will consist of four pairs of satellites and an on-orbit spare providing coverage over the continental United States and the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Ocean operating areas. Beginning with the fourth satellite, the UFO spacecraft possess a limited Milstar-compatible Extremely High Frequency (EHF) capability. The EHF capability modernizes tracking, telemetry, and commanding; increases anti-jam protection for fleet broadcast; augments submarine communications; and provides additional EHF spot beams for Navy battle groups. On the last three UFO satellites, the number of channels on the EHF spot beam will be increased from 7 to 20. Additionally, the last three satellites will also possess a payload dedicated to the Global Broadcast Service (GBS). There are currently seven operational UFO satellites on orbit. The last two satellites are scheduled for launch in FY99. The Air Force Satellite Control Network and the Navy Satellite Control Stations provide worldwide telemetry, command, and ranging to support UFO satellite operations.

The existing constellation of UFO communications satellites provides key command and control links for mobile forces of the DoD and other government agencies. As executive agent, the Navy is charged with maintaining the continuity of the space segment.

The UFO program provides a turnkey system with all development, integration, and technical testing performed solely by the contractor. The contractor must deliver, under warranty, a specified on-orbit capability. The first UFO satellite was launched on March 25, 1993, and was subsequently declared a total loss as a result of an unusable orbit caused by under-performance of the launch vehicle. The government received $199 million in contract remedies for the loss. Flights 2 through 9 have been successfully launched in the past five years. The Flight 10 satellite continues to process through the production line at Hughes and continues on schedule for a launch in the 3QFY99.

The Navy completed FOT&E on the first generation UFO satellites in May 1994 and on the EHF upgrade satellite family in August 1995. These operational tests were conducted while the UFO satellite system supported the requirements of ships representing joint, allied, and naval forces engaged in actual operations in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and North Arabian Sea. The purpose of the follow-on operational testing was to determine the on-orbit operational effectiveness and suitability of the UFO satellite system as a whole.

Flight 8 was successfully launched on March 16, 1998. In-orbit test and checkout was completed and the satellite turned over to the operational fleet. Flight 9 was launched on October 20 and is undergoing in-orbit test and checkout. Full operational test and evaluation of the GBS payload will be accomplished separately under the GBS test program.

The UFO program office participated in the IOT&E for the Army's Secure, Mobile, Anti-Jam, Reliable, Tactical Terminal (SMART-T) in June 1998. At DOT&E's direction, a portion of the IOT&E was set aside to test interoperability between this Army Milstar terminal and the in-orbit UFO satellites. There remains only one Milstar terminal to test for UFO compatibility. The Single Channel, Anti-Jam, Manportable (SCAMP) terminal interoperability will be tested during FOT&E in FY99.

The Navy updated, and DOT&E approved, the UFO TEMP to reflect the addition of the GBS payload on the last three UFO satellites. This will be the final UFO TEMP.

In July 1994, DOT&E found the UFO Satellite System (UHF-only) to be operationally effective and suitable and recommended approval for fleet employment in conjunction with correction of deficiencies observed in training and documentation. Operational tests of the UHF-only UFO satellites found that the SHF path could not function as the prime path for tracking the satellites as required by the Orbital Requirements Document. Consequently, the Space-Ground Link System continues to provide prime global tracking functions for these satellites. This method has proven to be operationally acceptable during the life of the system.

In November 1995, DOT&E found the UFO Satellite System (UHF and EHF) to be operationally effective and suitable and again recommended approval for continued fleet employment in conjunction with correction of joint interoperability, safety, and documentation deficiencies. DOT&E requested the Navy resolve joint interoperability by testing the UFO Satellite System with the Air Force and Army Milstar terminals in an additional FOT&E.

The Navy successfully established joint interoperability of the Air Force Milstar terminal with UFO in the testing conducted in February 1997. However, the Army Milstar terminals could not be tested for joint interoperability because they were not modified with the protocols required to access the EHF package onboard the EHF-capable UFO satellites. DOT&E directed further testing. Joint interoperability of the Army's SMART-T terminal was demonstrated during IOT&E in June 1998. The final interoperability test of the Army SCAMP terminal will take place during FOT&E in FY99.

Hughes Space and Communications certified that UFO satellite on-board clocks will operate through the year 2000 rollover. This certification was provided to the Navy in 1997. However, the certification letter started they had not assessed the adequacy of the various ground segment elements that support satellite launch and operations. The letter recommended that the appropriate agencies assess these elements of the UFO communications system. The UFO Program Office is working with the responsible Services and agencies to ensure Y2K compliance of all associated elements that support satellite launch and operations.

The UFO satellite system has proven successful to date and continues to provide effective support to both UHF and EHF communications missions.