1The sun never sets on USASMDC/ARSTRAT“Secure the High Ground”

Combat SkySat DeploymentUnit Brief

POCs:LTC John Rayburn – ARSTRAT G33Jeff Faunce – ARSTRAT Future Warfare CenterDave Snyder – ARSTRAT Future Warfare Center (719) 554-4583/david.snyder@us.army.mil

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10 Jan 2012

2The sun never sets on USASMDC/ARSTRAT“Secure the High Ground”

173rd BCT Submits REF Request 3 May 2010(limitation and mitigating capability shown below)

OCO Funding Received for Combat SkySat Deployment Oct 2011

Short History

- Successful demos in theater (FOB Shank) and AEWE (Ft Benning)

- Currently in operation by USMC

- Supports C5ISR ONS CONOPs (Updated Sept 2011)

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The sun never sets on USASMDC/ARSTRAT“Secure the High Ground”

Communication Capabilities Provided

• 24x7 UHF vx/data retrans Ops (remotely reconfigurable)

• S6/G6 determines appropriate role/mission

• Enabling P.A.C.E commo capabilities (1-8 channels)

• Compatible with standard radios including PRC-117F, PRC-148 (MBITR), PSC-5 & ARC-210 (aircraft radios)

• Transmits in 225-275MHz, Receive in 325-375 MHz (both secure or non-secure)

• No additional soldier load required

ForwardOperating Base

FOB XLaunch &

C2 Site

Dismounts

MBITR Normal Range: ~2 mi LOSMBITR Enabled with Combat SkySat: 500-600miles

System Attributes

• Operational system consisting of:• Expendable balloons and payload (no recovery

required)• Launch and C2 system

• Platform launched in 20 minutes/climbs at 1k’/min

• Persistent coverage from altitudes above 65,000 feet (~8-12 hrs/launch – multiple launch capable)

• No airspace deconfliction required!

• Wide field of regard requires frequency deconfliction

Launch Prep C2 System

System Launch

Deployment Support Considerations• Minimal support crew required

• Potentially draw from ARSST/Field Service Reps

• Operator class/TDY funds available

• Lessons learned from USMC and USN

• Acquiring systems now

• Helium supply source worked by SMDC

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The sun never sets on USASMDC/ARSTRAT“Secure the High Ground”

• Persistence

• ~8 hrs/launch - multiple launch capable

• Flight Altitude (60,000 feet plus field of regard)

– Wide area coverage/Coverage into complex terrain

– Above terrestrial weather & congested airspace

• Survivable – payload NOT recovered

• Flexible - Remotely reconfigurable RTNS payload

• P.A.C.E. Commo Considerations

– MSR Support (BDE/DIV GS role)

– QRF net/Standing RTNS net for any echelon

– Possibly tying into ANW2 network

– AVN/SAR capable/See SIPR for Comm Architectures

• Conserve manned RTNS assets (air/gnd)

High Altitude Attributes / EffectsExample FOB and MSR LOS Situation

FOB

MSR

MSR

LOS is restricted and HA needs to be taken in to signal planning

Patrol on convoy MSR route – limited LOS communications

5The sun never sets on USASMDC/ARSTRAT“Secure the High Ground”

Flight Altitude: 25K Coverage – 15%

Flight Altitude: 15K Coverage – 5%Combat SkySat

Flight Altitude: 75K Coverage – 69%

Altitude Decreases LOS Deadspace

• All altitudes are MSL• Centered over a 220mi X 220mi AOI example in mountainous terrain

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Bagram

Jalalabad

Ghazni

Kabul

Puli Khumri

6The sun never sets on USASMDC/ARSTRAT“Secure the High Ground”

Potential Linkage to C5ISR CONOPs(Sept 2011)

Capability 1: Aerial Layer Range Extension – Complete deployment of 117G (ANW2), EPLRS, SINCGARS and associated integration kits to all identified FOBs and COPs in RC-E and RC-S.

Capability 2: Meshed Aerial Layer backbone – Complete deployment of the meshed aerial layer bakcbone (HNRe2, QNT/TTNT) to all identified FOBs and COPS in RC-E and RC-S; integrate FMV baseband capabilities to the network.

Capability 3: Range extension to Enable Users at the tactical edge – Support Integration of C5ISR into Aerial Layer and existing communications infrastructure to all identified FOBs and COPs in RC-S.

Source: C5ISR CONOPs

Combat SkySat capabilities (when integrated) fit into capability 1 and 3

* Phase 1 of C5ISR ONS has been validated/funded

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The sun never sets on USASMDC/ARSTRAT“Secure the High Ground”

Questions?

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The sun never sets on USASMDC/ARSTRAT“Secure the High Ground”

Mission Options Matrix as of 12 Jan

Comm Mission

Users Approvers

BDE DIV/JTF ARCENT CENTCOM TF C5ISR (if integrated w/ANW2)

DS to specified unit, ie RTNS to COP x (pri or backup) X

GS to unspecified BDE unit based on condition, ie QRF net, MSR support

X

GS to unspecified DIV/JTF unit based on condition, ie QRF net, MSR support

X

Multinational Common Coord Net DS or GS X X X X X

CAS/Direct Air-Support Center (USMC focus) X X X

BDE or DIV Standing Ops net X X

Other??

Role will be defined by most pressing need based on Signal Plans Cell ICW S3/G3/J3

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The sun never sets on USASMDC/ARSTRAT“Secure the High Ground”

CENTCOMJ6

XXXX

ARCENTG6

XXX

1 IDG6

XX

X BDE 1IDS6

X

TF C5ISR

Coordination Tracker draft as of 12 Jan