The Defense Department is discussing with allied countries a potential purchase of a sixth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite, the Navy’s program manager said Aug. 28.

The military has not reached a final decision yet on whether to buy a sixth satellite either alone or with international partners, Navy Capt. Joe Kan said in a conference call with reporters.

On June 28, MUOS-4, the next satellite scheduled to join the U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) secure communications network, shipped to Cape Canaveral. Photo: Lockheed Martin
On June 28, MUOS-4, the next satellite scheduled to join the U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) secure communications network, shipped to Cape Canaveral. Photo: Lockheed Martin

Pre-acquisition activities for a follow-on narrowband tactical satellite communications system to replace MUOS could kick off as early as 2017, he said. Expanding MUOS—which could be operational as early as next year—is one of the options on the table.

“Just last two weeks ago, I met with a number of folks from Canada, Australia, the Netherlands and the U.K. [United Kingdom],” he said. “We will have further discussions as we go forward to figure out what that partnership is going forward.”

The services are gearing up for the launch of the fourth MUOS satellite, which will take place on Monday unless inclement weather caused by Tropical Storm Erika prevents the Atlas V takeoff from Cape Canaveral, Fla. Officials from the services, launch provider United Launch Alliance [ULA] and MUOS manufacturer Lockheed Martin [LMT] were optimistic that the event would occur as planned.

“The storm track is highly variable, but right now the range remains poised to support launch operations,” said Lt. Col. Tom Ste. Marie, deputy commander of Air Force 45th Operations Group. “We’ll of course continue to assess conditions…in order to ensure total personnel safety and complete mission assurance.”

Once the satellite is in place and operational, the constellation will be compete and have global coverage, Kan said. A fifth, spare satellite is scheduled for launch next year.  

Compared to legacy waveforms, MUOS will show improved performance in urban, jungle and Arctic environments, Kan said. It will allow troops to send and receive voice, video and data beyond the line of sight like they would with a smartphone.

Although the MUOS program is spearheaded by the Navy, the Army’s manpack radio will be the first manportable radio to use the waveform, said Army Col. James Ross, program manager tactical radios. The MUOS waveform will extend the operational ranges of radios far beyond the line-of-sight waveforms currently in use by soldiers.

The crew of Coast Guard’s USCGC Healy (WAGB-20), a medium icebreaker, is testing the waveform in the Arctic Circle and have successfully sent voice and text messages, he said. The Army is conducting developmental tests with units at Forts Bragg, Drum and Lewis, who are using the MUOS-equipped radios to communicate with each other.

After a multi-service operational test and evaluation this October, the Army will make a decision on whether to field the manpack radios, Ross said. “We already have those procured so we’ll be able to field them to several BCTs (Brigade Combat Teams).”

The services will declare full operational capability in late 2016 or early 2017 when all five satellites are in orbit, all ground stations are operational and the waveform is competed, Kan said.