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DOT&E FY2000 Annual Report

MOBILE USER OBJECTIVE SYSTEM (MUOS)

Navy ACAT ID Program		Prime Contractor
Total Number of Systems:	TBD	TBD
Total Program Cost (TY$):	TBD

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION & CONTRIBUTION TO JOINT VISION 2020

The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is the key element in the Advanced Narrowband System (ANS), which will provide beyond line of sight (BLOS) connectivity and a ubiquitous presence for Joint military forces to support a variety of Joint Requirements Oversight Council-defined Defense Mission Categories. As the follow-on UHF satellite system supporting a broad range of narrow-band communication equipment, MUOS will allow for information superiority to tactical forces involved in precision engagement.

The ANS is an evolving strategy that was derived from the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Space commissioned Joint Mobile User Study Final Report as a course of action for satisfying the growing unprotected narrowband (64 kbps and below) BLOS communications service requirements. The ANS is composed of six segments: (1) DoD space segment; (2) commercial space segment; (3) Telemetry, Tracking and Command segment; (4) network control segment; (5) user entry segment; and (6) gateway segment. As a sub-set of the ANS, MUOS consists of five segments: (1) Transport; (2) Satellite Control; (3) Network Control; (4) Ground Infrastructure; and (5) Gateway segments.

SPAWAR funded six-month concept exploration studies with four contractor teams between November 1999-May 2000. The four teams were Hughes, Lockheed Martin, Spectrum Astro, and Raytheon. On May 18, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy directed SPAWAR to establish a program office "dedicated to commercial communications evaluation, acquisition, operations, and support." In response to this direction, the acquisition strategy of the MUOS program is presently being re-evaluated in terms of several potential approaches: (1) field or lease a commercial system if the commercial market is sufficiently mature; (2) purchase a government-owned system; or (3) field several "gap filler" satellites to extend the life of the present narrow-band satellite constellation to allow the commercial market to mature sufficiently.

Preparation of the TEMP has been placed on hold until the acquisition strategy is finalized.

None to date.

As the emphasis on commercial approaches increases in this program, so does the importance of a thorough and well-designed OT&E. The test community needs to work together to write and staff a detailed TEMP, which will guide the definition of both developmental and operational testing.

FY00 MOBILE USER OBJECTIVE SYSTEM (MUOS)