UHF TACSAT/DAMA: Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Ultra High Frequency Tactical Satellite and Demand Assigned Multiple Access ... MCRP 3-40.3G / NTTP 6-02.9 / AFTTP(I) 3-2.53)

The intent of this publication, “UHF TACSAT/DAMA: Multi-Service Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Ultra High Frequency Tactical Satellite and Demand Assigned Multiple Access Operations (FM 6-02.90),” is to assist planners and users at the joint task force, Service component, and other functional components by providing an improved and unified process for planning, managing, and using ultra high frequency (UHF) tactical satellite (TACSAT) frequencies with special emphasis on maximizing the use of this limited resource. Lessons learned and collected by Joint Staff J-6 from numerous joint operations identified significant problems with planning and utilizing the limited number of UHF TACSAT frequencies. Current methods and procedures based on use, geography, channel size, demand access, and time have proved difficult to integrate and require extensive manual tracking and manipulation. These inefficiencies contribute to the shortage of this critical command and control resource. This multi-Service tactics, techniques, and procedures (MTTP) publication consolidates and standardizes Service tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) for planning and executing UHF TACSAT frequency management operations. It serves as a planning and execution guide and a framework for coordination and synchronization consistent with current Joint doctrine. Chapter I identifies key players in the management of tactical satellite (TACSAT) resources and offers critical guidance for the user to optimize this scarce resource. The usage guidance centers on the need to consider other communications capabilities before requesting access to TACSAT resources. The chapter concludes with sections on TACSAT capabilities, military standards, waveforms, and slave channels. These sections include discussions of narrowband and wideband channels, the utilization of dedicated and demand assigned multiple access (DAMA) services, and descriptions of 5-kHz and 25-kHz waveforms. Chapter II provides a detailed look at the communications planning cycle of assessing force structure, acquiring resources, managing resources, and issuing resources to users. It discusses DAMA emission control, terminal base address (TBA) management and precedence, common, and private networks, and disadvantaged users. Chapter III provides techniques and procedures for UHF TACSAT equipment and operations, TBA management, orderwire (OW) key management, and communications security equipment. It also provides samples of 5- and 25-kHz DAMA checklists, accessing dedicated and DAMA channels. The equipment list provides the planner with the capability to assess communications interoperability of various elements in a Joint Task Force (JTF). The point of contact list provides TACSAT users a means of troubleshooting a variety of common problems with UHF TACSAT operations. The appendices provide samples of checklists, troubleshooting guides, and other planning resources.