Mobile User Objective System
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The Mobile User Objective System is an array of satellites being developed for the United States Department of Defense to provide global SATCOM narrowband (384 kbit/s and below) connectivity for communications uses by the United States and allies.
[edit] Overview
The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is an Ultra High Frequency (UHF) satellite communications (SATCOM) system, primarily serving the Department of Defense (DoD). MUOS will replace the legacy UHF Follow-On (UFO) system prior to reaching its end-of-life. MUOS also provides enhanced capabilities and will serve additional users that require greater mobility, access, capacity, and quality of service than UFO can accommodate. As a UHF SATCOM system, MUOS primarily addresses the common segment of military SATCOM. It supports mostly mobile user (e.g. planes, ships, ground vehicles, and soldier manpack), unprotected (i.e., not resistant to enemy jamming), low-throughput voice and data satellite communications requirements.
MUOS operates as a global cellular service provider to support the warfighter with modern cell phone-like capabilities. MUOS 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. The constellation of four operational satellites (with one on-orbit spare) provides the capacity required to support the Joint services' MUOS Communications Service Requirements. Like a mobile subscriber service, MUOS provides the military with precedence-based service and preemption access to voice, data, video, or a mixture of voice and data in both point-to-point and netted communication services spanning 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.
The Navy's PEO Space Systems is lead developer for the MUOS Program. Lockheed-Martin is the Prime System Contractor and satellite designer for MUOS. Key subcontractors includes General Dynamics (Ground Transport architecture) and Boeing (Legacy UFO payload). The first MUOS satellite is scheduled for launch in late 2009 with on-orbit capability achieved in 2010.
[edit] 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 communications to all services of the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) services via the DoD Teleport.
