PM DSCS-T completes satellite terminal modernization at Navy Satellite Communications Station, Bahrain

Army Communicator, Fall, 2004 by Stephen Larsen

With the removal in May of an AN/MSC-74 shelter that previously housed Digital Communication Satellite Subsystem equipment, the Army's Product Manager, Defense Satellite Communications Systems--Terminals successfully completed work under the AN/GSC-52 Modernization Program at Navy Satellite Communications Station, Bahrain.

According to Neil Fiske, installation team leader for the project for PM DSCS-T, which is part of the Project Manager, Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems, has provided NAVSATCOMSTA, Bahrain with two fixed-site 38-foot diameter AN/ GSC-52 medium satellite terminals. These terminals provide long-haul communications for NAVSATCOMSTA Bahrain in supporting ground mobile forces, ships and strategic users in the Indian Ocean region, Southwest Asia, Europe--all the way to the East Coast of the U.S.

Fiske said that the removal of the shelter was the final step in the evolution of the long-haul communications capability that PM DSCS-T provided for NAVSATCOMSTA, Bahrain.

"Originally, in 1994, we (PM DSCS-T) had provided a vanized AN/GSC-52 and two AN/MSC-74 DCSS baseband shelters," he said. "In 1999, we added a fixed AN/ GSC-52 and DCSS baseband suite to provide the capability to transmit over two satellites at the same time. Then, during the AN/GSC-52 rood in 2002, we converted the vanized AN/GSC-52 into the fixed configuration in place today."

Upgrade program extends terminal life, reduces support costs

Under the Army's AN/GSC-52 Modernization program, which started in 2000, PM DSCS-T has completed modernization of 30 out of a total of 65 terminals--including upgrading radio frequency equipment, antenna motors and Control, Monitor and Alarm systems. The upgrades will extend the life of the terminals by 15 years, increase terminal reliability, maintainability and availability; reduce support costs, and increase communication traffic capacity.

PM DCATS, located at Fort Monmouth, N.J., is part of the Fort Belvoir, Va.-headquartered Program Executive Office, Enterprise Information Systems.

Mr. Larsen is a public affairs officer with Program Executive Office, Enterprise Information Systems at Fort Monmouth, N.J.