XTAR Announces Terminal Certification Program

 

August 29, 2017

XTAR, LLC has announced an expedited terminal certification process.  The program is designed to enable terminal manufacturers and users to quickly yet thoroughly examine and certify X-band antennas for use on the XTAR constellation.  To date, eight antenna manufacturers have successfully passed testing for their products to become certified by XTAR. 

XTAR provides satellite communications exclusively for military or government use.  This  expedited program was introduced to ensure that the antennas are safe and compliant to interface with their two X-band satellites, and to provide a rapid path for equipment manufacturers to bring their products into use. 

Currently, terminal manufacturers attempting to become X-band certified on Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) undergo a lengthy process of certification, lasting as long as two years.  The XTAR program takes approximately one week, allowing users to quickly get up and running with approved terminals. 

“Our process is thorough, yet much more streamlined,” explains Kelly Nicklin, Senior Director of Sales and Business Development for XTAR.  “We are extremely careful about access to our satellites, but have been able to speed up the process.  We pride ourselves on our responsiveness to our customers and our partners.   Their success is our success, so if we can ease the path to get their products in the hands of the end-users more quickly, everyone benefits.”  She adds, “Our certification program therefore provides a path for new, often small or disadvantaged terminals to be fielded and operated more quickly.” 

Manufacturers with antennas currently certified by XTAR include Advantech Wireless, Ball Aerospace, General Dynamics, Gigasat, Hughes, L-3, Tampa Microwave and Vislink.