Distributed Tactical Communications System (DTCS) provides the disadvantaged field user with over-the-horizon (OTH), beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) and on-the-move (OTM) netted communication capability through the Iridium satellite constellation, without the need for local ground infrastructure. The Netted configuration allows one DTCS radio, more commonly referred to as the DTCS Radio Only (RO), to simultaneously communicate to all other radios using a shared net.
The DTCS RO is a handheld push-to-talk (PTT) satellite communications device offering a two second PTT set up. The RO handset uses multicast architecture and operates similar to terrestrial-based tactical radio (walkie-talkie), with a single talker and multiple listeners, but delivers a 250 mile range and OTH/BLOS capabilities. Additionally, the RO has the capability to transmit Position Location Information (PLI) that can be viewed on systems and tools that utilize a Common Operating Picture (COP) such as Force XXI Battle Command Brigade-and-Below (FBCB2) or Blue Force Tracking (BFT).