AT TOP	Paper 1868	US-M-C	DOWN
Status of the Mobile User Objective System
Nicholson,Jack		PEO Space Systems, PMW-146
The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is a narrowband Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) system that supports a worldwide, multi-Service population of mobile and fixed-site terminal users in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band, providing increased communications capabilities to smaller terminals while still supporting interoperability with legacy terminals. MUOS adapts a commercial third generation (3G) Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) cellular phone network architecture and combines it with geosynchronous satellites (in place of cell towers) to provide a new and more capable UHF MILSATCOM system. The constellation of four operational satellites and ground network control will provide greater than 10 times the system capacity of the current UHF Follow-On (UFO) constellation and a unprecedented level of availability and access-on demand to satellite communications. This paper will addresses the current status of the MUOS program, including a brief history of UHF SATCOM and the successes achieved to date. It will also discuss the road ahead for the program, examining both the new capabilities it will bring to the warfighter as well as the challenges of fielding a system that requires close synchronization with multiple terminal programs. It concludes with a look at the various technologies being implemented and how future operations may be affected
Commander Jack Nicholson reported to the Navy’s Communications Satellite Program Office (PMW-146) in November 2004 as the Director of Operations and the Contracting Officer’s Representative for the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). CDR Nicholson was previously stationed at the National Reconnaissance Office, where served as the Chief Systems Engineer for the Communications Directorate’s Space line of business. While in this role he also supported the NRO’s portion of the Transformational Communications Architecture. Prior to this, he served his first tour in PMW 146 as the MUOS Chief Systems Engineer. During his fleet tours as a Naval Flight Officer, CDR Nicholson was stationed in California, Hawaii, and Spain, specializing in airborne reconnaissance missions and conducting sensitive multi-sensor surveillance operations in support of high priority naval and national intelligence requirements. He has deployed all over the world, supporting tasking in the Pacific, Central, and European Commands. He served with forces on the ground from Somalia to Saudi Arabia, and is happy to be now living in San Diego, California. Originally from Michigan, CDR Nicholson attended Purdue University, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He earned the degree of Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering and the post-masters degree of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineer while in the Space Systems Engineering curriculum at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.