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.

U.S. Army awards TeleCommunication Systems with order for MICRO VSAT

The U.S. Army awarded TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. a contract worth $2.8 million worth for the delivery of X-band and Ku-Band MICRO VSAT (very small antenna terminal) satellite communications equipment.

The TCS contract is paid for by the U.S. Army Project Manager for the Warfighter Information Network – Tactical (PM WIN-T) Commercial Satellite Terminal Program. It is a part of the World-Wide Satellite Systems (WWSS) contract vehicle.

Reliable and secure satellite communications are critical for the operations of modern militaries. These important SATCOM services can be delivered by MICRO VSAT and baseband equipment, which in addition are much more flexible than larger VSAT units. And the TCS systems are the smallest and lightest man-portable VSAT terminals that the market can offer.

Recommended additional reading:

• Smartphones the gadget of choice among young adults

Kratos Technology scores contract for sustainment, support of USAF satellites

Kratos Technology and Training Solutions, Inc. won the CCS-C Production and Sustainment Contract (CPASC) from the Space and Missile Systems Center of the U.S. Air Force Space Command. The Company will sustain and further develop the Command and Control System-Consolidated system, which generates telemetry, tracking, and command for operational and planned MILSATCOM satellites.

Kratos will receive $17.5 million for its first year of service. The contract has options for a total of six years of service worth $133 million all in all.

CPASC will generate telemetry, tracking, and command services for three more Wideband Global SATCOM satellites and two extra Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites. The contract is a fixed price incentive type; it came with a one year base period and options for continued service up to 2018.

CPASC also has unique plans in store for Kratos, the CCS-C program office, and the Ogden Air Logistics Complex (OO-ALC) to create a public-private partnership. OO-ALC is predicted to sustain a fifth of CCS-C's core software by 201, improving the repair capabilities of organic depots that handle space systems.

CCS-C supports the Defense Satellite Communication System, Milstar, AEHF, and WGS families of satellites by deliving integrated MILSATCOM command and control services. It can perform a wide variety of operations, including those connected with the state of health of satellites.

Recommended additional readings:

• iDirect chosen by Australian satellite specialist
• NewSat Ltd invests on iDirect Evolution satellite hub