MPE filters to safeguard satellite-based voice conferencing for US leaders

Based upon satellites, Presidential and National Voice Conferencing (PNVC) is a second-generation follow-on communications capability with roots in the Milstar Survivable Emergency Conferencing Network (SECN).

Ultimate responsibility for all aspects of the program reside within the FAB-T Terminal Program Office and, with PNVC set to play a critical role in the future of the US nuclear command and control infrastructure, PNVC has received the highest visibility within the Department of Defense and US Air Force.

PNVC is considered to be a System-of-Systems, which uses hardware including: Defense Red Switch Network (DRSN) switches, Audio Conferencing Equipment (ACE), Multi-stream Summing Device III (MSD-III), Baseband Interface Group (BIG), Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T), Very Important Person / Special Airlift Mission Protected SATCOM Communications Terminal (VPS), Secure Mobile Anti-jam Reliable Tactical Terminals (SMART-T) with Baseband Kit (BBK), and the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite constellation.

In support of this program, the Liverpool-based defence electronics manufacturer MPE has designed and developed a custom High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) filtering solution for the protection of the air and ground, fixed and transportable, “command post terminals” within the system. Thus MPE filters help to safeguard voice conferencing with, for example, Air Force One, the Presidential Boeing jet.

The achievement of specific size and weight objectives – along with the capability to withstand shock and vibration – were critical and, within its custom design, MPE has employed a number of new techniques and material selections. Ultimately this has resulted in a design that is smaller and lighter than these critical limits, whilst still exceeding the specified electrical performance levels.

Via its territory distributor, Technical Sales Solutions (TSS), MPE has delivered several filters to Telecore, Inc in Texas who, following integration, have in turn delivered their integrated solution offering to prime contractor Raytheon, as part of the current testing and verification phase, which is expected to complete within the next 12 months.

Once operational, the satellite-based system will provide a worldwide, survivable, secure and near toll-quality voice conferencing capability for the President, Secretary of Defense, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other senior national and military leaders of the US.