DSCS III - Becoming an operational system

This paper addresses the progress of the Defense Satellite Communications System, Phase III (DSCS III), related developmental efforts directed toward facilitating operational employment of the new generation spacecraft, and an overview is provided illustrating how some of the innovations of the DSCS III will be used in the operational environment. The major features of the DSCS III are reviewed and a status report is provided on the development of the spacecraft. Special emphasis is given to those areas judged to be significantly different from other satellite systems - dynamic control of the multibeam antenna (MBA) systems, and its ability to detect and reduce the impact of interfering signals. Support software to expedite and optimize responses to changing operational requirements, including jamming, is addressed.