TNAG-2237-FCO40-3216-Future-of-Hong-Kong-defence-and-public-order-1991 — Page 138

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telegraph circuits. The TSC 503 will also be able to act as a SATCOM bridge terminal for tactical trunk systems.

The terminal used for NATO area SATCOM is the Land Rover

borne VSC 501. This terminal has recently been given an enhanced capability to cater for the C31 demands of Operation GRANBY and is now able to provide the same communications as is proposed for the TSC 503, depending on geographical location and satellite coverage. For Operation GRANBY large capacity transportable terminals were required to meet the C31 demands and to communicate

over the long distances dictated by the theatre of operations. As the UK had no equipment to meet this requirement, five TSC 93/100 terminals were loaned by the

US. It is intended that similar terminals will now be

procured by the UK to fill this capability gap. SF are equipped with both UHF and SHF manportable terminals (PSC 510 and PSC 505). Although these have a limited capacity, they are able to provide low data rate secure

speech, data and telegraph circuits. The RAF are equipped with six VSC 501 terminals and use small UHF

terminals in Nimrod aircraft; trials are being carried out with a view to fitting SHF terminals in Nimrod. Interoperability between sea and land mobile terminals and UK/Allied anchor stations will be achievable with the

introduction of the Universal Modem.

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. The requirement for HF anchor facilities is likely to be re-examined following Operation

GRANBY.

CCIS

Each of the three 4-star HQs in the UK has its own information systems, as does MOD, and in principle whichever

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