SECRET UK EYES A
C. There is currently only one main satellite ground terminal in the UK and one alternative with limited
facilities.
Provision of a fully diversified system with 3 fixed and a number of transportable terminal stations is planned under SR (SLA) 1595 and will be completed in the early 1990s. Communication to ships at sea is
provided through the SCOT 1 and 2 terminals fitted in a proportion of ships. These will be upgraded in the 1990s and will be capable of providing 8 telegraph channels as
well as secure speech and data, and will be fitted in all
DD/FF and larger ships. Forces deployed on land are currently provided with a TSC 502 transportable terminal
capable of providing one secure speech, one multiplexed
data and up to 4 telegraph channels, but in certain
configurations capable of providing only one secure speech and one telegraph channel. The VSC 501 Land Rover borne station is now entering service. These
installations are intended primarily to meet general war
tasks and would need additional equipment to meet the
capacity requirements of 00A operations, although one is earmarked for use by the EW troop available to support OOA operations in order to provide a high capacity data
link to GCHQ. Nevertheless, replacement of the TSC 502
station, now nearing the end of its useful life, is a high priority, though as yet unfunded. In any event,
improved data channelling equipments are urgently needed to replace the unreliable improvised arrangements
currently in use.
5. HF Radio. Current and planned HF radio equipment is adequate to provide limited capacity rear link communications over distances up to 2500 miles, though reliant on ionospheric
conditions. New technology is increasing the range capability
of reliable HF communications, and overseas anchor stations in
Cyprus, Gibraltar, Australia and Belize are also currently available to extend ranges.
anh.1s2
H-4
UK EYES A SECRET
- 7
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.