Development Trends in USAF Global Communications Systems

This paper briefly summarizes one initial development approach for the 1962-1965 USAF Global Communications Systems. A brief review is given of some of the early communications systems work and the present design philosophy for the 600-voice bandwidth channel, 6000-mile trunk system is discussed. Specific requirements of the ground-based Air Force common-user system are listed and developments intended to provide much of the equipment for this time period are noted. This paper concludes that by adopting the system approach, the Air Force will be provided with a greatly increased communications capability at a total cost which differs little from today's annual expenditure.