TRW ES-19 FLTSATCOM
FLTSATCOM (Fleet Satellite Communications System) is a system of communication satellites, which was initially deployed by the U.S. Navy between 1978 and 1989. FLTSATCOM satellites operate in geosynchronous orbit, and provide UHF communication services for the U.S. military forces. The original constellation consisted of 6 satellites, the last two of which (FLTSATCOM-7 and -8) were of the Block 2 configuration, which also featured an experimental EHF module.
 |
| Image: U.S. Navy |
| ES-19A (FLTSATCOM Block 2) |
Beginning in the 1990s, the FLTSATCOM system was gradually replaced by the newer UFO (UHF Follow-On) satellites. By 2021, only FLTSATCOM-7 and -8 were still active. In that year, responsibility for FLTSATCOM was transferred from the Navy to the newly-established U.S. Space Force, which subsequently assigned the designation ES-19A to the two remaining satellites.
| Name | Intl. Designation | Launch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLTSATCOM-1 | 1978-016A | 09-Feb-1978 | Also known as Ops-6291 |
| FLTSATCOM-2 | 1979-038A | 04-May-1979 | Also known as Ops-6292 |
| FLTSATCOM-3 | 1980-004A | 18-Jan-1980 | Also known as Ops-6293 |
| FLTSATCOM-4 | 1980-087A | 31-Oct-1980 | Also known as Ops-6294 |
| FLTSATCOM-5 | 1981-073A | 06-Aug-1981 | Damaged during launch |
| FLTSATCOM-6 | 1987-F02 | 26-Mar-1987 | Launch failed |
| FLTSATCOM-7 | 1986-096A | 05-Dec-1986 | Also known as USA-20 |
| FLTSATCOM-8 | 1989-077A | 25-Sep-1989 | Also known as USA-46 |
Launch dates of the FLTSATCOM series
Main Sources
[1] Wikipdia: Fleet Satellite Communications System
[2] Gunter Krebs: FLTSATCOM 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (Block 1),
FLTSATCOM 6, 7, 8 (Block 2)
Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 3
Last Updated: 2 August 2024