DoD IP SATCOM Transition to WGS

Abstract

With the upcoming launch of the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) constellation, the DoD will have the opportunity to transition existing satellite networks from commercial satellite bandwidth to military-owned satellite resources. Transition to WGS will provide the Warfighter with additional capacity to augment current and future MILSATCOM needs. WGS Ka-band payloads will provide over 2Gbps of capacity across multiple steerable spot beams. These high power, high frequency beams allow for deployment of smaller tactical terminals. In order for a terminal to be used over the WGS satellites it must first be certified to meet all applicable Military Standards (MIL-STD) as defined by Space and Missile Defense Command /Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC / ARSTRAT). The certification process will ensure that terminals conform to the minimum performance and operational control requirements as defined in the WGS Ka-Band Terminal Certification Requirements Document. The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is currently working to provide a systems engineering solution and transition plan for the Global Broadcast Service (GBS) and the USCENTCOM Digital Video Broadcast - Return Channel via Satellite (DVB-RCS) network, to WGS. Since GBS already utilizes Ka-band over UHF Follow-On (UFO) satellites, transition of GBS to WGS will not require significant system changes. However, this transition does provide an opportunity to perform a technology refresh of the existing DVB-S waveform to the Second Generation DVB-S2 waveform as well as enable two-way services with a migration to the Joint IP Modem.