The Command and Control System - Consolidated program, part of LAAFB's Military Satellite Communication Systems Directorate, recently upgraded all 38 Front End Processors, modernizing the system and readying CCS-C to accept future changes to the Air Force Satellite Control Network. CCS-C provides telemetry, tracking and commanding for all Air Force communication satellite constellations, including Wideband Global SATCOM, Defense Satellite Communications System, Advanced Extremely High Frequency and Milstar.

This sizeable upgrade to the 3rd and 4th Space Operations Squadrons' hardware was implemented in all of the satellite operations centers across the CCS-C system, both at Schriever AFB in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Vandenberg AFB near Lompoc, California. The hardware changes were necessary to improve the aging commercial platforms, which had become obsolete and unsupportable. The upgrade will not only serve as an improvement for the readiness for both the operational and developmental environments for mission-critical systems, it will also position CCS-C for future AFSCN upgrades to Unified S-Band commanding and Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol control and status capabilities, such as Space Link Extension. This significant upgrade, including installation and operational checkout, was accomplished within budget and on schedule.