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AN/WSC-6

The AN/ WSC-6( V) shipboard terminal is designed for use on surface ships to satisfy the Navy SHF ship-to-shore communications requirements while remaining within the cost, weight, and size constraints of the shipboard environment. The AN/ WSC-6( V) consists of the radio group and the antenna group. The antenna group is configured in a single or dual configuration to give 360 degrees of antenna coverage.

AN/ WSC-6( V) 1. The AN/ WSC-6( V) 1 SHF terminal is installed aboard SURTASS vessels. The terminal is interfaced with the MD-1030A( V) binary phase-shift keying (BPSK) narrowband modem and has a 4-foot antenna.

AN/ WSC-6( V) 2. The AN/ WSC-6( V) 2 is installed aboard numbered fleet flagships and uses the OM-55( V)/ USC spread-spectrum AJ modem and the ComQuest CQM-248A phase-shift keying (PSK) narrowband modem and has one or two 7-foot antennas. The (V) 2 terminal uses an 8-kW transmitter with either the spread-spectrum modem or the narrowband modem or both if an IF patch is used. The (V) 2 can also use a 350-watt TWTA with the narrowband modem in conjunction with the 8-kW Klystron power amplifier with the spread-spectrum modem if the diplexer is used.

AN/ WSC-6( V) 4. The newer generation AN/ WSC-6( V) 4 SHF terminal is installed aboard CV/ CVN, LHA, and LHD class ships. These terminals use the CQM-248A narrowband modems, the (V) 2 up-and down-converters, 350-watt TWTAs and 7-foot antenna( s).

AN/ WSC-6( V) 5. The AN/ WSC-6( V) 5 is the shipboard SHF terminal that will replace the (V) 2 and (V) 4 terminals on "big deck" platforms. It will use Versa Module Eurocard (VME) 32-bit bus technology employing circuit card assemblies to replace the antenna and servo-controllers; the up-, down-, and tracking converters; the local operation control center; and the radio frequency selector. It will provide dual termination capability at the converter to allow connectivity to GMF, and use one or two 7-foot antennas. In addition it will have redundant (back-up) TWTAs (2kW and 350W). These terminals will use two narrowband modems; one will be the CQM-248A, the second is to be determined.

AN/ WSC-6( V) X. The planned AN/ WSC-6( V) X will provide SHF capability to CG 47, DDG 51, and TOMAHAWK-capable SPRUANCE-class "shooters" as well as well as Combat Logistics Force (CLF) and LPD 17 class ships. The terminal will consist of a single rack of equipment, FDMA modems, and either single or dual 7-foot parabolic antennas.

AN/ WSC-6 Shipboard Terminal

Shipboard AN/ WSC-6 Terminal Block Diagram

AN/ WSC-6( V) Technical Characteristics

Among the menu of services via DSCS SHF are the DISN, GCCS, JMCIS, Contingency Tactical Air Control System (TACS) Automated Planning System (CTAPS), Advanced Narrowband Digital Voice Terminal (ANDVT), STU-III, PC-to-PC transfer via STU-III, TADIXS, broadcast record message traffic, Manual Relay Center Modernization Program (MARCEMP), TOMAHAWK Mission Planning packages and updates, imagery support, Defense Switched Network (DSN) telephone/ Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) access, JDISS, JWICS, Unclassified But Sensitive and Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (NIPRNET and SIPRNET), VIXS/ VTC, SALTS, and TESS/ Navy Integrated Tactical Environmental Subsystem (NITES).

The AN/ WSC-6 terminal variant supports a non-AJ data rate of 64 kbps (threshold) to 1.024 Mbps (objective) for nonflag-capable ships, and a combined non-AJ data rate of 768 kbps (threshold) to 2.048 Mbps (objective) for flag-capable ships. SURTASS terminals support data transmission at 9.6 kbps for shore-to-ship circuits and 144 kbps for ship-to-shore transmission. Terminal variants installed on flagships and flag-capable ships will be capable of supporting jam-resistant communications with the addition of an AJ modem, such as the UMS.

The estimated numbers of SHF terminals to be deployed and to be used for training/ testing are as follows:

Step 1: Modify existing terminals to provide improved capacity, including dual-channel operation, for fleet flagships and flag-capable ships.

Step 2: Field new AN/ WSC-6( V) variant( s) or equivalent capability (e. g., submarine high data rate [SUB HDR]) for remaining ship classes.

Step 3: Complete outfitting all required ship classes with SHF capability.

Initial operational capability (IOC) for Step 1 was achieved in FY 1997, IOC for Step 2 is scheduled for FY 1998, and full operational capability (FOC) is expected in FY 2006.

FY96 funds procured mod kits and miscellaneous equipment to modify four AN/WSC-6(V)4 terminals to allow dual channel capability. Existing Navy and Army contracts were used. A new production contract will be awarded in FY97 for SHF AN/WSC-6(V)X terminals including non-recurring costs, first article testing and delivery of three units. FY97 funds also procure four seven foot antennas to replace existing four foot antennas and will procure mod kits for installation on 9 AN/WSC-6(V)2 and AN/WSC-6(V)4 terminals. The seven foot antenna procurement is a separate contract; the mod kits are bought on the antenna contract and two existing Army and NRAD contracts. FY98 and FY99 funds procure additional AN/WSC-6(V)X terminals, AN/WSC-6(V)2 and AN/WSC-6(V)4 mod kits, additional seven foot antennas and production support.

Sources and Resources

• CHAPTER 2 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION NTP 2 NAVAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROCEDURES NAVY SUPER HIGH FREQUENCY SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS
• CHAPTER 4 SHF PLANNING/ OPERATIONS PROCEDURES NTP 2 NAVAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROCEDURES NAVY SUPER HIGH FREQUENCY SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS

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