Army Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) mobile terminal (AAMT)

Abstract

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), through the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), has developed a commercially oriented ACTS Mobile Terminal (AMT). This vehicular terminal employs a mechanically-steered antenna, and can support either digital links up to 64 kbps or analog links. The Army has now contracted JPL to modify this terminal for Army demonstration purposes. The AMT hardware will be mounted on a High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). In addition to providing standard baseline AMT capabilities, a coupling to a Single Channel Ground Air Radio System (SINCGARS) radio will enable secure command and control on the move. The rationale, design, features, and planned demonstration program for this Army AMT (AAMT) are discussed in this paper.<>