Single Channel Transponder System (SCTS) (U)
Overview (U):
(U) The Single Channel Transponder System (SCTS) provides Emergency Action Message (EAM) and Force Direction Message (FDM) dissemination capability to command centers (USSTRATCOM, EUCOM, SHAPE, NMCC, USSPACECOM, and PACOM) and force elements for the control of strategic and non-strategic nuclear forces.
Details (U):
Description User Impact Programmatics Images Related Initiatives Related Requirements Related Categories Road Map Placements Additional Hotlinks Lead Office POC
Description (U):
(U) The Single Channel Transponder System (SCTS) was fielded in 1985 as an interim system to provide jam, nuclear resistant communications to U.S. strategic forces. SCTS was to bridge the gap between the Air Force Satellite Communications (AFSATCOM) system and the new Milstar EHF satellite communications system. It provides SHF one-way satellite communications between the command centers and the nuclear- equipped ground forces through the fixed ICBM SHF Satellite Terminals (ISST) and the mobile Single Channel Transponder Receivers (SCTR). In addition, the SHF uplink from the command centers can be cross-banded through the satellite to UHF for reception by Dual Modem terminals located on bombers and tankers. The satellite element of SCTS uses the SCT package on the DSCS satellite system. The DSCS satellite is not planning to support strategic communications beyond 2003. Strategic ground systems will transition to the EHF spectrum. The ground terminals will be replaced by the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) EHF terminals and the Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminal (SMART-T).
User Impact (U):
(U) The system provides one of the survivable means of disseminating Emergency Action Messages (EAMs) and Force Direction Messages (FDMs) from the National Command Authorities (NCA) and the warfighting CINCs.
Programmatics (U):
(U) Operational.
Images (U):
(U) None.
Related Initiatives (U):
Name Title Adv Wideband Satellite (AWS) Advanced Wideband Satellite (AWS) Army Terminal Upg & Rpl Army Terminal Upgrade and Replacement DSCS III Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III DSCS Service Life Enhance Prog Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) Service Life Enhancement Program (SLEP) ICBM EHF Terminals Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) EHF Terminals SMART-T Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical-Terminal (SMART-T) This Table Is Unclassified. Related Requirements (U):None.
Related Categories (U):
Name Title SHF Ground Segment Terminals Super High Frequency (SHF) Ground Segment Terminals This Table Is Unclassified. Road Map Placements (U):
Name Title MILSATCOM SPACE FORCE ENHANCEMENT: MILSATCOM This Table Is Unclassified. Requirements, Funding and Additional Hotlinks (U):
(U) None.
Lead Office (U):
(U) Air Force.
(U) DoD: OASD(C3I), Pentagon, Washington, DC
(U) Service Staff: SAF/AQII, SAFCIC/SYOA, Pentagon, Washington, DC
(U) Major Command: HQ, Air Force Space Command (AFSPC), Peterson AFB, CO
(U) Program Management: MILSATCOM Terminal Programs, ESC/MC, Hanscom AFB, MAPoint of Contact (U):
(U) Lt Craig Stevens, MILSATCOM JPO, Open Phone: DSN 833-4896.
(U) Lt Claudine Davenport, ESC, Open Phone: (781) 271-5689.Date Of Information (U):
(U) 12 November 1997
(U) Road Map Production Date: 12 July 1999
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