Deployable Satcom Terminal for Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD)

Establishing a high data rate telecommunications system in remote locations in Alaska is a significant challenge involving a host of architecture options and technical challenges. High data rates from the remote site require either high transmit power or very high antenna gain with very precise stability and pointing. It is a difficult task to install and deploy communication components in areas where weather conditions are harsh and transportation distances are great. It is even more challenging to develop satellite terminals that must perform reliably over long periods of time with minimal scheduled maintenance. A unique design is proposed that will allow for high bandwidth communications at IFICS sites for secure data transmission as well as non-secure data transmission for "quality-of-life" communications and data flow. These systems may also serve as rapidly deployed and reliable backup networks in emergency situations. The design integrates an inflation-deployed radome integrated with an inflation rigidized highly accurate antenna. The RF feed mechanism is mounted to the radome and no additional structure is required. This design allows for packaging efficiencies and mass an order of magnitude better than conventional technologies at one tenth the cost.