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.

Lockheed Martin secures AEHF production contract worth $2 billion

Lockheed Martin confirmed that it has won a $2 billion production contract to build the fifth and sixth Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) communications satellites for the United States Air Force.

According to a statement by Mark Calassa, the Vice President of Protected Communications of Lockheed Martin, the AEHF program has become a critical part of the military space architecture of the United States, especially in recent times when global security relies more and more on protected and resilient satellite communications.

VP Calassa explained that strategic and tactical users across the world need the kind of secure satellite communications that AEHF provides. He believes that the Company's production contract with the USAF confirms the US government's confidence in Lockheed Martin's capability to deliver on the new order.

The AEHF network is a significant improvement over the older Milstar system when it comes to secure military communications. It will ensure safe lines of communication between the president and senior military leaders during nuclear attacks and similarly extreme situations. The first two satellites were placed in orbit in 2010 and 2012, and they are being used by the United States, Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

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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.

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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.

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ViaSat launches Portable satellite terminal at AUSA 2012

US-based digital communications and satellite service provider ViaSat will debut its network-ready portable satellite terminal, the VMT-1220P, at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting and Exposition. The event will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., from October 22 to October 24. 

The VMT-1220P Satellite Terminal (Photo Source)

The terminal has been designed to instantly provide satellite broadband connectivity through ViaSat’s services. The VMT-1220P has been equipped with an auto-acquiring antenna which reduces setup time while greatly simplifying procedures for its use. ViaSat is looking to market the device for maritime or ground missions requiring portable broadband access especially for missions in locations with no reliable terrestrial infrastructure. 

The terminal can easily access the company’s global broadband network and can be utilized by ground troops in accessing classified networks worldwide, download and upload video files, and make secure phone calls. The product also includes a special base and a lightweight ballistics bag to house, carry, and transport the system anywhere safely.

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Astrium wins commercial SATCOM contract with EDA, ESCPC

French satellite communications company Astrium Services will be providing commercial satellite communications capacity to the five members of the European Defense Agency (EDA.) The European Satellite Communications Procurement Cell (ESCPC) of the EDA will be managing the innovative SATCOM contract with Astrium.

Astrium pioneered the provision of military SATCOM services to governments and defense ministries alike. It was the first European company to provide commercial satellite communications to the EDA through the ESCPC-managed scheme.

Astrium Services offers commercial satellite communications services in the C-band, Ku-band, and Ka-band. By providing the EDA with reliable and secure access to these bands, Astrium will be able to cater to the needs of the European militaries. It will also be able to provide value-added services such as leasing SATCOM terminals.

The ESCPC will coordinate its member nations when they pool their needs, purchase services, and trade satellite communications capacity. Its current members are France, Italy, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom.

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Thales Alenia Space wins MILSATCOM study contract with France

Thales Alenia Space secured a design contract with the DGA (Direction Générale de l'Armement,) the French defense procurement agency. The Cannes, France-based satellite manufacturer will be studying future military satellite communications capacity set to enter service in 2019 on behalf of the French Ministry of Defense.

The DGA-sponsored study will fit into the plan to replace the two Syracuse III satellites that Thales Alenia Space built and operated. The study will also complement the Sicral 2 and Athena Fidus satellites developed and built by Thales Alenia Space and Italy in a cooperative venture.

Thales Alenia Space will analyze the French military's future needs for satellite communications (MILSATCOM) capacity. It will aso pore over acquisition procedures and collaboration schemes that will hasten development, ensure efficiency, and save money for all participants.

As the industrial partner of the French and Italian ministries of defense and space agencies, Thales Alenia Space helped create the first two -and, so far, the only two- collaborative European programs on space communications for security and defense.

The satellite manufacturer will face significant issues throughout the course of replacing existing satellite communications capacity. Thales Alenia Space must ensure strategic security, ensure the delivery of critical MILSATCOM capacity when its partner nations deploy their armed forces on foreign soil, and accomplish all of this within a budget limited by the ongoing economic crisis.

Satellite operators looking to service military drones

Military drones are a crucial component of military operations. These unmanned aerial vehicles are not only capable of remote sensing and surveillance applications, they help minimize human casualties because they are remotely operated. Missions previously tasked to soldiers - like armed attacks, and search and rescue operations - can be accomplished using drones. However, since UAV's are either remotely controlled or autonomous, the machines require extensive bandwidth to work. 

Commercial satellite operators are looking into this demand from the military sector to improve business. Military organizations, as much as possible, would rather rely on government-owned satellites. However, more and more drones are being developed and used, and assistance from satellite communications companies are becoming inevitable. The aerial vehicles are now relying on commercial satellite transponders to work.

Military drones in action

Companies like Intelsat General and Inmarsat are looking at supplementing the bandwidth requirements of military drones. The latter has already been supplying satellite solutions for ground-based communications of US troops in Afghanistan. However, military operations in the Middle East are wrapping up, and satellite operators are looking into servicing drones to be deployed in the US and other critical regions.

But commercial satellite operators foraying into the defense industry is not unheard of. Aside from Inmarsat, NewSat Australia has been providing satellite communications via its Perth teleport to Proactive Communications, which delivers mission critical communications for government-personnel in the Middle East.

Suffice to say, the military sector and the satellite industry are natural fit for business. 

UAV's are not only limited to military use too. Mining companies, and scientific exploration teams employ drones for mineral exploration and scientific research, especially in regions which are dangerous to piloted craft. Even the World Wide Fund for Nature is taking advantage of the powerful drones to help its global, wildlife conservation efforts.

For now, operators are intent on offering their powerful satellite and VSAT services to the military, who are more than willing to meet their increasing demand.