Airbus Defense and Space demonstrates new
Skynet capabilities as part of its new
AuroraGlobal initiative
11 March 2014
Airbus Defense and Space has launched
AuroraGlobal, able to provide unmatched high
throughput military satcom services to
defense and other government customers,
using the power of Skynet satellites and new
developments in ground network
infrastructure. As part of the new offer,
Airbus Defense and Space has demonstrated
new X-band capabilities by delivering higher
throughput via smaller terminals, including
terminals already in operation.
Test results in 2013 have proven that X-band
is a highly capable bearer for the
increasing requirements of governmental user
demands. Airbus Defense and Space engineers
achieved unprecedented results using the
latest available small antenna and hardened
Skynet satellites. Delivering more than
70Mbps (transmit and receive), using a 0.6-m
terminal and the latest DVB-S2 modem
technology, this opens up secure satcom
options for comms-on-the-move ISR
(Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance) operations, particularly in
the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) domain.
“Airbus Defense and Space is at the highest
level of satcom services technology. We
continuously strive to improve the
performance we deliver to customers,
offering them the best value solutions
available and providing unmatched next
generation military satcom,” said Evert
Dudok, Head of Communications, Intelligence
& Security at Airbus Defense and Space.
Separate tests of
Airbus Defense and Space’s SCOT5 1.5 -m
naval terminals, currently in service,
confirmed that levels of assured throughput
service could be achieved at four times the
present levels provided to military satcom
customers. These results demonstrate that
X-band is a clear response to the
operational needs of military users, whether
occasional high data rate ISR or continuous
operational communications.
Airbus Defense and Space’s latest strategic
partnerships with operators of complementary
satcom capabilities – such as Inmarsat’s
Global Xpress and Intelsat’s EpicNG – also
provide customers with the maximum
flexibility and assurance that they have
access to the best-fit and future-proof high
performance satcom services portfolio.
Airbus Defense and Space currently operates
the hardened Skynet military satellite
constellation and the ground network to
provide all Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS)
communications to the UK Ministry of Defence.
This Private Finance Initiative (PFI) also
enables the company to provide Skynet-based
communication services to armed forces from
other countries including US, Canada and
Australia, as well as to NATO.
