(U) A. Mission Description and Budget Item Justification

(U) The Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) mission is to fly operational USAF and other DoD satellites. The AFSCN also provides launch & early orbit tracking operations in support of all major US launches. Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) performs operations and maintenance and Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) performs modernization and sustainment of the system to meet requirements validated by a HQ USAF approved Operational Requirements Document (ORD). This effort funds the development and acquisition of this integrated national satellite telemetry, tracking, commanding, and data relay capability. to meet the requirements of the growing inventory of operational and developmental DoD, National, Civil, and foreign satellite systems. Improvement and Modernization efforts in command & control, communications, and range elements of the AFSCN will ensure DoD space systems are operationally ready to support the CINCs' warfighting requirements.

(U) The AFSCN consists of four segments: Command & Control, Communications, Range, and Support. The system is a global infrastructure of control centers, remote tracking stations, and communications links that provide the highly reliable command and control, communications, and range systems required to support the nation's surveillance, navigation, communications, and weather satellite operations. The AFSCN is the DoD common user network that provides satellite state-of-health, tracking, telemetry, and commanding (TT&C) for the following operational satellite systems: DMSP, GPS, DSCS, DSP, FLTSAT, MILSTAR, UHF F/O, Skynet, NATO II/IV, and Classified Programs.

(U) AFSCN Improvement and Modernization (I&M): AFSCN I&M is an on-going program of replacements and upgrades which will replace non-standard, unsupportable equipment with more reliable, maintainable and standardized hardware and software. This new equipment will enable AFSPC satellite operations to be performed with fewer, lower skilled personnel and will significantly reduce HW/SW maintenance costs. The principal efforts within this program are: Network Operations Upgrades (Command & Control System Upgrades), Communications Upgrades, and Range Upgrades.

(U) NETWORK OPERATIONS UPGRADES: The Network Operations Upgrades effort will develop a replacement for the current Command and Control System (CCS) segment of the Network. The current CCS provides approximately 130,000 real-time satellite contacts per year using an old IBM mainframe-based, centralized computer system. The new system, the Standard Satellite Control Subsystem (SSCS), will employ a server-workstation-based, open architecture system using a high speed communications backbone. It will use standard hardware and software elements and will provide improved capability with reduced operations and support costs. The mission critical computer systems which are to be replaced perform satellite telemetry processing and commanding, orbit data processing, network scheduling, and software/database maintenance and testing in AFSCN satellite operations centers, mission control complexes, scheduling complexes, and related training and operational software support facilities. The SSCS upgrades will be based on AFSPC's prioritized list of needed enhancements and will be implemented in a phased approach to meet satellite program windows of opportunity. The current Resource Management System (RMS), which deconflicts and allocates network telemetry, tracking & command assets to support operational space vehicles, will be replaced with an automated system which includes network resource scheduling and orbit analysis functions to include ephemeris and events generation, radio frequency interference detection and collision avoidance. This evolution offers tremendous potential for reducing satellite control O&M costs through enhanced commonality and standardization, simplified operations, and automation. Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware and software will be procured for the new Resource Management System (network scheduling, which includes portions of space safety and hazard analysis previously provided by Inter-Range Operations facilities) and the SSCS. The software portions of these systems will be modified to meet AFSPC's common set of network operations and satellite control operational requirements.

(U) COMMUNICATIONS UPGRADES: This effort will transition the current, costly point-to-point AFSCN communications network to a communications grid system that integrates government and commercial networks as technology becomes available. Several standardization efforts are being implemented to improve and modernize the communications and ground segment elements of the AFSCN, including: Archival recording systems to replace obsolete, manpower-intensive analog equipment with automated, standardized digital COTS systems; a Centralized Control and Monitor (CC&M) system which will consolidate communications operations, provide remote control of tracking station equipment, and increase fault detection and isolation capabilities to reduce O&M costs; Wide Area Network Interface Units (WANIU) which standardize hardware and reduce O&M costs for performing multiplexing functions in the AFSCN, as well as provide an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) interface; and Operational Switch Replacement (OSR) to provide increased capacity, reliability, data quality, and user access.

(U) RANGE UPGRADES: This effort will upgrade the current Automated Remote Tracking Station (ARTS) and other Range assets. Several integrated projects will standardize the remote tracking stations, upgrade and/or replace outdated equipment in order to reduce failures, correct operational deficiencies, and reduce operating and sustainment costs.

(U) This effort is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development, because it supports a fielded system.

(U) ACQUISITION STRATEGY: The primary objective of the AFSCN I&M program is to reduce the cost of satellite control operations while maintaining or improving reliability, maintainability, operability, and capability of current systems. A combination of performance based specifications and commercial/industrial specifications and standards were used for these acquisitions and were tailored to state only the Government's minimum performance needs. All development contracts were competitively awarded and utilized commercial practices and streamlining to the maximum extent possible.

The AFSCN utilized multiple development contracts in the past. Starting in FY96, a new streamlined contracting strategy was implemented with the award of three new contracts. The new strategy resulted in the Range & Communications Development Contract (RCDC), the Network Operations Upgrade Contract (NOUC), and the Network Integration Contract (NIC). Integration efforts had previously been spread across functional and contracting lines but with the new AFSCN contracting strategy the NIC contractor will be responsible for inter-segment integration. Development upgrades will be designed to be flexible in meeting new satellite program requirements while minimizing sustainment costs by taking advantage of development efforts in satellite control over a large number of government and non-government development activities. It is believed that these objectives can best be reached by developing systems with an open software design and a distributed system architecture using COTS products wherever feasible.

(U) FY 1996

(U) $28,800	Network Operations Upgrades (Command and Control System Upgrades):
	(U) Initiated implementation of systems necessary to make network operations more affordable. Provides primary and back-up systems and necessary security controls. Consists of development and testing of Resource Scheduling, Basic Orbit Service, Control and Status, and Network Performance capabilities. Identified modifications for the Standard Satellite Control Subsystem (SSCS) for integration into the first Satellite Operations Complex (SOC). These upgrades will include upgrade of the Telemetry, Tracking, and Commanding system with SSCS in the consolidated communication, navigation, surveillance, weather, and RDT&E SOC's as prioritized by AFSPC. Scheduled program completion FY 01.
(U) $31,300	Communications Upgrades:
	(U) Continued Communications Segment archival recorder system upgrades through integration and test of standardized COTS digital telemetry recorders. Continued development of the Centralized Control and Monitor (CC&M) network including design and integration of hardware and software. Continued development of COTS based hardware and software for WANIU by developing first unit prototypes. Began OSR studies and requirements analysis.
(U) $14,796	Network Integration and Systems Engineering: (U) Continued system engineering and integration of hardware/software to meet evolving satellite program requirements at Operational Control Nodes (OCNs) and Remote Tracking Stations (RTS).
(U) $74,896	Total

(U) FY 1997

(U) $33,600	Network Operations Upgrades (Command and Control System Upgrades):
	(U) Continue software development of Resource Scheduling, Basic Orbit Service, and Network Performance capabilities. Begin effort to field and sustain an early schedule input and dissemination capability until RMS delivery. Initiate effort to move the primary orbit analysis functions of RMS to Onizuka for use by the Inter-Range Operations organization. Begin design of Standard Satellite Control Subsystem software modifications. The modifications will augment or change software code in the government-furnished satellite control system. Scheduled completion FY02. Continue developing priority user-requested modifications to command and control systems.
(U) $35,540	Communications Upgrades:
	(U) Continue supporting hardware and software integration of standardized COTS archival recorder units at Remote Tracking Stations (RTS). Complete development of WANIU and begin operational testing of prototype in AFSCN. Continue CC&M development. Continue Operational Switch Replacement studies and requirements analysis. Scheduled completion FY01.
(U) $13,500	Network Integration and Systems Engineering: (U) Continue system engineering and integration of hardware/software to meet evolving satellite program requirements at OCNs and RTSs.
(U) $82,640	Total

(U) FY 1998

(U) $25,185	Network Operations Upgrades (Command and Control System Upgrades):
	(U) Develop, test, and field Resource Scheduling, Basic Orbit Service, Control and Status, and Network Performance capabilities in primary locations. Begin implementation of additional orbit service capabilities into RMS. Complete initial version of the SSCS and delivery to satellite SPO. Scheduled completion FY01.
(U) $26,700	Communications Upgrades:
	(U) Continue supporting hardware and software installation of standardized COTS archival recorder units at RTSs. Continue integration and test of WANIUs into the AFSCN. Complete CC&M development and deliver baseline system. Continue development of Operational Switch Replacement.
(U) $14,900	Range Upgrades:
	(U) Begin development of Remote Tracking Station Control & Status upgrades which provides a distributed, multi-processor architecture, and replaces memory and processing deficient 80286 computers. Begin development of operational Range & Communications Centralized Control Monitor (RC3M) upgrades to provide centralized, remote control of Range equipment from the Falcon AFB control node. Payoff is to reduce operations & support costs.
(U) $13,226	Network Integration and Systems Engineering: Continue system engineering an integration of hardware/software to meet evolving satellite program requirements at OCNs and RTSs.
(U) $80,011	Total

(U) FY 1999

(U) $12,800	Network Operations Upgrades (Command and Control System Upgrades):
	(U) Begin Resource Scheduling integration and test of orbit service at back-up operational location. Complete second release of SSCS and deliver to SBIRS and GPS. Initiate RMS trainer.
(U) $26,664	Communications Upgrades:
	(U) Complete Archival Recorder System and CC&M development projects. Continue developing Operational Switch Replacement.
(U) $50,400	Range Upgrades:
	(U) Begin development of antenna upgrades. Current 1960's technology antennas are very expensive to maintain. Modern designs are available off-the-shelf to provide increased performance, reduced interference (required by FCC allocation of adjacent frequencies to Commercial users), and multi-frequency alternatives. Continue C&S and RC3M efforts.
(U) $14,197	Network Integration and Systems Engineering:
	(U) Continue system engineering an integration of hardware/software to meet evolving satellite program requirements at OCNs and RTSs.
(U) $104,061	Total

(U) B. Program Change Summary ($ in Thousands)

	FY 1996	FY 1997	FY 1998	FY 1999
(U) Previous President's Budget	78,830	89,960	93,366	107,136
(U) Appropriated Value		86,960
(U) Adjustments to Appropriated Value
a. Cong Gen Reductions		-2,062
b. SBIR		-2,258
c. Omnibus and Other Above Threshold Reprogram	-1,321
d. Below Threshold Reprogramming	-2,095
e. Recissions	-518
(U) Adjustments to Budget Years since FY 97 PB			-13,355	-3,075
(U) Current Budget Submit/President's Budget	74,896	82,640	80,011	104,061

(U) Change Summary Explanation:

FY98 and FY99 adjustments fund higher Air Force and DoD priorities.

Schedule: Delivery of first complete SSCS delayed one year due to funding adjustments for higher Air Force priorities.

Technical: Not Applicable.

(U) C. Other Program Funding Summary ($ in Thousands)

	FY 1996	FY 1997	FY 1998	FY 1999	FY 2000	FY 2001	FY 2002	FY 2003	To Compl	Total Cost
(U) Other Procurement, AF; Budget Activity: 3, AFSCN	24,094	17,144	32,197	40,025	24,961	34,447	47,022	47,350	Continue	Continue
Related RDT&E:
(U) Not Applicable.

(U) D. Schedule Profile

FY 1996

FY 1997

FY 1998

FY 1999

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

Communications Upgrades

Award RCDC Contract

X

Install OCN archival recorders

X

Start OSR Study

X

Archival CDR

X

RTS archival IOC

X

CC&M CDR

X

CC&M IOC

X

WANIU CDR

X

WANIU IOC

X

OSR CDR

X

Network Operations Upgrades

Award NOUC Contract

X

Complete Specification for SSCS

X

SSCS design

X

Resource Management CDR

X

Resource Management IOC

X

Range Upgrades

Start Control & Status

X

Start RC3M

X

Start antenna upgrades

X

Network Integration & Systems Engr.

Award Network Integration Contract

X

(U) A. Project Cost Breakdown ($ in Thousands)

	FY 1996	FY 1997	FY 1998	FY 1999
(U) Network Ops Upgrades (Command and Control Upgrades)	28,800	33,600	25,185	12,800
(U) Communications Upgrades	31,300	35,540	26,700	26,664
(U) Range Upgrades			14,900	50,400
(U) Network Integration and Systems Engineering	14,796	13,500	13,226	14,197
(U) Total	74,896	82,640	80,011	104,061