MOUS what is it and why is it important - Space Coast Radio

The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) (300 MHz to 3 GHz frequency range) SATCOM system, primarily serving the DoD. The MUOS will replace the legacy UHF Follow-On
(UFO) system before that system reaches its end of life to provide
users with new capabilities and enhanced mobility, access, capacity, and
quality of service. Intended primarily for mobile users (e.g. aerial
and maritime platforms, ground vehicles, and dismounted soldiers), MUOS
will extend users' voice, data, and video communications beyond their
lines-of-sight.^[2]
The MUOS operates as a global cellular service provider to support the war fighter with modern cell phone-like capabilities, such as multimedia. It converts a commercial third generation (3G) Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) cellular phone system to a military UHF SATCOM radio system using geosynchronous satellites in place of cell towers. By operating in the UHF frequency band, a lower frequency band than that used by conventional terrestrial cellular networks, the MUOS provides warfighters with the tactical ability to communicate in "disadvantaged" environments, such as heavily forested regions where higher frequency signals would be unacceptably attenuated by the forest canopy. The MUOS constellation will consist of four operational satellites and one on-orbit spare. MUOS will provide military point-to-point and netted communication users with precedence-based and pre-emptive access to voice, data, video, or a mixture of voice and data services that span the globe. Connections may be set up on demand by users in the field, within seconds, and then released just as easily, freeing resources for other users. In alignment with more traditional military communications methods, pre-planned networks can also be established either permanently or per specific schedule using the MUOS' ground-based Network Management Center.
The Navy's Communications Satellite Program Office (PMW 146)^[3] of the Program Executive Office (PEO) for Space Systems in San Diego is lead developer for the MUOS Program. Lockheed Martin is the Prime System Contractor and satellite designer for MUOS under U.S Navy Contract N00039-04-C-2009, which was announced September 24, 2004.^[4] The cost-plus-incentive-fee-and-award-fee contract award for the MUOS defined a base period-of-performance of seven years valued at $2,110,886,703. The base contract provides for an Initial Operational Capability comprising two satellites with the associated MUOS ground control elements.^[5] The contract also defined contract options^[6] which, if exercised, would add four years and $1,154,948,927 to the base. Key subcontractors include General Dynamics (Ground Transport architecture), Boeing (Legacy UFO and portions of the WCDMA payload) and Harris (deployable mesh reflectors). The first MUOS satellite was scheduled for launch in late 2009 with on-orbit capability achieved in 2010. This has been delayed to the first launch in Nov 2010 and operational by February 2011.^[7] First launch has now been delayed further to December 2011.^[8]

Legacy payload

In addition to the cellular MUOS WCDMA payload, a fully capable and separate UFO legacy payload is incorporated into each satellite. The "Legacy" payload extends the useful life of legacy UHF SATCOM terminals and enables a smoother transition to MUOS. The Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) is the program of record that will provide the DoD terminals that can communicate with the MUOS WCDMA waveform. MUOS also allows on-the-move users access to shore-based, DoD-exclusive telephone and INTERNET networks of the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) services via the DoD Teleport and the MUOS ground infrastructure.
The MUOS will include four ground station facilities.^[2] Site selections were completed in 2007 with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the U.S. navy and the Australia Department of Defence. The four ground stations, each of which serves one of the four active satellites of the MUOS constellation will be located at: the Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station at Kojarena^[9] about 30 km east of Geraldton, Western Australia; Naval Radio Transmitter Facility (NRTF) Niscemi about 60 km from Naval Air Station Sigonella;^[10], Sicily, Italy; Southeast Virginia; and the Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station Pacific, Hawaii.^[11]
The Navy's 2007 RDT&E Budget Item Justification for 0303109N Satellite Communications (Space), indicates that MUOS efforts in the period from FY2006-FY2009 will focus on, among other activities, designing, developing, fielding, and testing the MUOS ground segment.

MUOS (Mobile User Objective System) is a next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system designed to significantly improve ground communications for U.S. forces on the move.
The new communications system, slated to become operational in 2010, would provide 10 times more throughput, or volume of information that can be transmitted, than the current UFO System, and will provide the US troops a much more reliable way to communicate, as it is not affected by weather, environmental constraints or foliage.
Under the new system, even troops in the most remote locations or buildings with no satellite access would see a big increase in communications capabilities, industry sources said.
In September 2004 the Lockheed team was selected against the Raytheon team.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif. the MUOS prime contractor and system integrator, was recently awarded a $2.1 billion contract to build the first two satellites and associated ground control elements by the U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), on behalf of the Program Executive Office ? Space Systems, San Diego, Calif. The contract also provides for options on three additional spacecraft. With all options exercised, the contract for up to five satellites has a total potential value of $3.26?billion.
MUOS satellites will be developed at the company's Commercial Space Systems unit in Newtown, Pa.; final assembly and test will occur in Sunnyvale. Lockheed Martin's award-winning A2100 bus, which has achieved over 100 years of on-orbit service, will serve as the MUOS spacecraft platform.

• General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., which will lead the user-entry and integrated ground segments of the MUOS program, supplying a secure ground network, satellite control and network management, and a JTRS-compliant terminal solution.
• Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS), El Segundo, Calif.; The satellite-manufacturing arm of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems will provide the legacy UHF payload.
• Ericsson, Plano, Texas. The leader in 2G and 3G mobile technology systems will provide portions of the integrated ground segment.
• Harris Corporation, Melbourne, Fla. A world leader in spaceborne, unfurlable mesh reflectors, Harris will provide the large reflectors for the MUOS program. The reflectors, two per satellite, will be manufactured at Harris facilities as part of the MUOS geo-synchronous satellite's ultra high-frequency (UHF)-band antenna system.

The planned launch of the first MUOS satellite was delayed to 2012 after a part of the budget was used to fund operations in Iraq.
The program is valued at $6.4?billion over its lifespan, which could run through 2024.

Source: http://wrmf1060.blogspot.com/2012/02/mous-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important.html

sharia law sharia law new hampshire primary results ron paul golden state warriors amanda bynes molly sims