MUOS satellite communications achieves first secure data, voice call

The U.S. Navy's Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite communications network has achieved its first ever secure data and voice call by way of an orbiting satellite and ground stations. This achievement will enable military satellite radios, which will become able to deliver secure data communications while on the move.

Older military satellite communications systems used stationary terminals that need to be in the open to track satellites. These terminals are understandably unsuited for on the move missions.

Things are changing, of course, following a recent test of the MUOS end-to-end system. A pair of General Dynamics AN/PRC-155 Manpack satellite radios successfully used the MUOS satellite communications network for a secure radio-to-radio voice and data “call.” One of the radios transmitted voice and data communications through a MUOS satellite, to the MUOS ground station, back through the satellite, and to the second radio.

According to Lockheed Martin, there are over 20,000 existing satellite radio terminals currently in service, including the ManPack radio system. The mobile users amongst these can look forward to solutions from the MUOS satellite communications network that will ensure the secure delivery of their data, video, and voice transmissions.