Hughes and OneWeb to
Demonstrate Low Earth Orbit Service in Arctic
Region
May 5, 2021
Hughes Network Systems, LLC
and OneWeb announced their selection by the U.S.
Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to demonstrate
managed LEO satellite communications (SATCOM)
services to connect the Arctic region to sites
around the globe. Under the agreement, Hughes
will test and implement these end-to-end
services on the OneWeb system between selected
U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) locations, a
first step in harnessing the power of LEO
satellites for high-speed, low-latency broadband
access in the Arctic.
“This opportunity
reinforces the relationship between Hughes and
the U.S. Air Force to ensure resilient, flexible
SATCOM networks for tactical, multi-domain
operations,” said Rick Lober, vice president and
general manager of the Defense and Intelligence
Systems Division at Hughes.
“We look forward to
partnering with OneWeb to bring LEO innovation
into the military SATCOM enterprise, especially
in the strategic Arctic region where
connectivity has been
“The OneWeb constellation
has been designed to enable low-latency
broadband access across the globe, allowing
connectivity in previously unreached areas—a
capability that is ideal for tactical,
multi-domain operations in the Polar region and
beyond,” said Dylan Browne, Head of Government
Services with OneWeb. “Working together with
Hughes, we will bridge the gap in connectivity
for NORTHCOM with an interoperable and secure
solution.”
As the prime contractor on
the project, Hughes will lead adaptation,
integration, testing and ongoing management of
this service demonstration with OneWeb and
Intellian, who are developing user terminals for
use on the OneWeb network. Designed for ease of
installation, the new Intellian terminals will
utilize next-generation technology to provide a
cost-effective system to access the low-latency,
high bandwidth connectivity offered by OneWeb.
Under a separate agreement
with OneWeb, Hughes is engineering and producing
the gateway equipment and user terminal core
module, making the company a logical choice for
enabling high-speed, low-latency services above
the 50th parallel North, an area that has been
difficult to connect with other types of
satellite services. The DoD contract is part of
the U.S. Air Force’s Defense Experimentation
Using the Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI)
program.
OneWeb’s network was
designed for global coverage and is uniquely
capable in its ability to deliver much-needed
connectivity services to the Arctic. With 182
satellites launched to date and regular 2021
launches planned and on-track, OneWeb will be
able to deliver coverage to the 50th parallel
North and above by the end of 2021, bridging a
long-standing connectivity gap and building
secure communications capability in an
underserved region.
