Military Communications
Preface
This document is dedicated to all the men and women who are involved with ensuring the national security of the
United States.
The following information was derived from these sources:
Body of Secrets by James Bamford.
Wizards of Langley by Jeffrey T. Richelson.
Top Secret Tourism by Harry Helms.
The Bureau by Ronald Kessler.
Newsweek magazine articles.
Time magazine articles.
Although I have attempted to gather and arrange the data into a comprehensive, understandable format, any errors
and omissions are mine and not attributable to
any other authors or works. This document was created prior to the reorganization of the intelligence community
following 9/11, so in many respects, it is
out-of-date.
This paper is designed to provide basic information to persons wishing to enter the US Intelligence Community and
those who desire a broader knowledge of it. This
paper is not intended to cover every aspect of the intel community.
Military Communications
Milstar
This is a jam-resistant, secure communication satellite network for civilian and military leaders for command and
control of military forces, worldwide.
Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF)
Used for LOS (Line-of-sight) tactical communications, ground, sea, and air.
Superhigh Frequency (SHF)
Used by DSCS (Defense Satellite Communication System) for long distance communications.
Click-Click Technology
Click-click technology is digital transmission of voice or data over a radio as opposed to analog voice transmission.
If the voice or data information is digitally compressed, the transmission of it sounds like a "click."
WIN-T (Warfighter Information Network-Terrestrial)
WIN-T is a communications system fielded in fiscal year 2008. It provides a variety of communication
capabilities using a telephone, laptop, etc.
PCD (Personal Communication Device)
A PCD is a light-weight communication radio worn by personnel so that they can communicate without using their hands.
In tactical situations, PCD communications are Line-of-Sight (LOS). A PCD can communicate to team members in close
proximity or it can communicate long distances or worldwide by using a communications satellite. The person to be
communicated with must not be over a significant hill. In the case of satellite communications, the satellite must
not be over the horizon. The PCD uses a Multi-Band Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR) system.
SATCOM(Satellite Communications)
SATCOM is satellite communications that can be voice or data. A Personal Communications Device (PCD) or laptop
can use it for long-distance or world-wide communication. A SATCOM device may be characterized by a satellite antenna
that looks like a black tube about one inch (2.5cm) in diameter and a length of about 1 foot (30cm).
GIG(Global Information Grid)
GIG is a communications network where each contact point, or node, is connected to all other nodes in the network.
A node can attach or detach to the network at any time. GIG uses SATCOM technology to provide worldwide connections
to all nodes in the network. Transmissions are digital and may consist of voice or data information. Voice transmissions
may be encripted and/or compressed. Compressed transmissions are usually very short (see Click-Click
Technology).