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radio is normally used to provide backup communications but
its dependence on ionospheric conditions means that it cannot be guaranteed to provide a full service. Moreover, its capacity, though increasing through new technology, is limited
and will provide no means of passing fully secure voice and computer data in the quantities needed. Whichever means are used, the circuits carried can be provided to whichever HQs in
UK need access to them.
3.
Deployed Force. Within a deployed force, communications
are currently carried almost exclusively by conventional
tactical VHF and HF radio. In the future, communications
links between the deployed force HQ and major elements of the
force must be able to accommodate and protect the passage of data in both directions. This need is likely to be met by the
use of airportable radio relay and some tactical SATCOM, but force communications will remain heavily reliant on tactical
radio.
4.
SATCOM.
a.
The UK SKYNET IVB satellite launched in December
1988 provides continuous coverage over Europe, the
Atlantic, the Middle East, Africa and most of South
America. Notable areas not covered are the Caribbean,
Far East and India. A map is at Appendix 1. Two similar
satellites are planned for launching by the end of 1990, primarily to sustain the prime coverage based on 1°N/6°E. Should spare capacity be available then the third
satellite will be stationed at 53°E. This satellite will
then provide coverage of India and the Far East. Alternatively, if the need arose the third satellite could be moved (at one to 2 months notice) to 33°W to give coverage of Central America. The prime coverage remains based upon 1°/6°E and thus the UK will remain largely
reliant upon allies for military satellite communications
in other parts of the world. Two further satellites
anh.1s2
H-2
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