Oct. 15, 2013
Raytheon Company whose
terminals protect the military's most sensitive
satellite communications, recently held a
demonstration that proved sensitive data could
be passed through small, low-cost satellite
terminals using an unclassified but secure
waveform.
A benefit of this
approach would be that front-line tactical
users, such as forward deployed forces or
remotely piloted aircraft, could execute
missions more securely and reliably than is now
done in environments where communications can be
jammed.
Using a modem that is
significantly smaller and less expensive, the
demonstration involved showing key elements of
the protected tactical waveform similar to
Advanced Extremely High Frequency, one of the
military's most complex. Raytheon leveraged its
position as the only provider of AEHF satellite
terminals to three branches of the military to
show that it can provide an affordable protected
tactical solution.
Key cost benefits and
modem features were identified and demonstrated
allowing for flexibility across frequency bands
that will provide tactical users the
communications protection they need at
affordable prices using existing and future
satellites. The new tactical waveform can
operate on a variety of bands including Q, X and
Ka. It provides secure, anti-jam, low
probability of intercept capabilities not
available today on unprocessed or unprotected
satellites.
"As the only provider
of AEHF production satellite terminals to the
military, Raytheon leveraged its protected
military satellite communications leadership to
meet the affordability, security and flexibility
challenge," said
Scott Whatmough,
vice president of Integrated Communication
Systems in Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems
business.
The waveform
demonstration marks the first of three phases
under a U.S. Air Force study known as the Design
for Affordability and Risk Reduction. Raytheon
was one of two companies chosen to help the U.S.
government chart the course for future protected
military satellite communication terminals.
