The U.S. Navy has authorized the U.S. Strategic Command to deploy and leverage the service’s narrowband satellite communication system for expanded operational use starting late 2018.
Rear Adm. Carl Chebi, program executive officer for command, control, communications, computers and intelligence, said in a statement published Thursday that the authorization for the Mobile User Objective System will help further provide U.S. forces with upgraded communications capabilities.
The Navy’s MUOS network consists of five satellites, the first of which was launched to space in 2012.
The satcom constellation carries the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access waveform payload, which is designed to help soldiers communicate beyond-line-of-sight with more capability compared to legacy systems.
Early-adopter commands started using MUOS WCDMA during its combatant command restricted operations phase in July 2016.
The U.S. Marine Corps will also deploy MUOS in the fourth quarter of 2018, with initial operational capability scheduled in early 2019.