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Astrium delivers new tactical,
land and maritime X-band satcom
capability to UK MOD
7
November 2013
Astrium is now delivering to the
UK Ministry of Defence (MOD)
enhanced overseas tactical, land
and maritime communications
capability which directly links
to Astrium Services’s new IP
core based modular
infrastructure.
This
capability allows UK Armed
Forces to securely connect their
users to one core defence
infrastructure – supporting all
voice and data traffic with
encryption from tactical, land
and maritime operations across
the globe – rather than having
to recreate a network of
services. Astrium Services
provides a flexible and scalable
environment that can
cost-effectively accommodate all
expected connectivity needs.
Astrium Services is delivering
the first two DMM (Deployable
Maritime Milsat) SCOTPatrol
terminals, which feature reduced
top-weight and a compact
footprint both above and below
deck for easier integration on
small vessels. These terminals
will enable IP based
communication onboard smaller
Royal Navy ships, including Mine
Counter Measure Vessels on
operations in the Arabian Gulf.
The SCOTPatrol next generation
naval satellite
communications terminal, along
with all of the baseband
equipment, allow the vessels to
fully integrate into the network
via Skynet 5’s resilient and
hardened X-band satcoms. Further
terminals are on order and are
being delivered during the next
year.
To
meet the UK Armed Forces land
and tactical requirements,
Astrium Services is delivering
25 Mantis terminals and
lightweight “Snapper” baseband
equipment to the UK MOD as part
of a managed service package. A
small IP node service –
which has
enabled a switch over to IP
baseband – covers
X-band on Skynet 5, a Mantis
terminal and “Snapper” baseband
for an advanced lightweight and
resilient communications
capability for remote users
overseas.
To
meet the requirements of large
deployed land forces or air
bases with multiple users, fixed
and transportable IP Domains
nodes are available. The first
two overseas bases to be
equipped are on order for
delivery early next year.
“These service deliveries ensure
that maritime, land and air
units from the UK Armed Forces
have the best capability for
secure communications by
guaranteeing secure voice and
data access to our forces on the
frontline while using
lightweight and IP based
equipment”, said Colin Paynter,
Executive Director Government
Communications at Astrium
Services.
“These services are important
steps in the Skynet programme,
which started 10 years ago and
has become an example of just
how effectively industry can
work with the MOD in an on-going
service delivery programme,” Mr.
Paynter added. “Astrium Services
continuously works with the UK
Armed Forces to develop and
deliver these types of services
within short time frames as part
of a long-term stable contract.”
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