Viasat Wins UK Ministry
of Defence Contract to Supply Ultra High
Frequency Satellite Communications Equipment on
the Royal Navy Type 31 Frigate
Nov. 4, 2020
Viasat UK Ltd., has been
awarded a contract to provide Ultra High
Frequency (UHF) satellite communications
(SATCOM) for the new Type 31 frigates, to be
delivered by Babcock Team 31, for the Royal
Navy.
UHF SATCOM is a
mission-critical capability that will provide
the Type 31 frigates with secure integrated
voice and data services for communications
between Royal Navy maritime vessels and
headquarters. It allows commanders to remain
informed and aware of the fleet disposition. It
is also a vital component to enable maritime
task group operations, extensively providing
secure beyond line of sight (BLOS)
communications between ships and mobile units
such as sea boats, boarding teams and
helicopters, which are all key elements of
tactical combat and constabulary maritime
operations.
"This UHF SATCOM capability
will ensure the Royal Navy Type 31 frigates will
have the robust, secure, world-wide UHF voice
and data services it needs for modern warfare
operations in the current information advantage
environment," said Steve Beeching, managing
director, Government Systems, Viasat UK. "We are
very proud to be able to supply our world-class
technology to the UK Ministry of Defence. The
importance of the UHF SATCOM capability in
enabling defence to co-ordinate limited assets,
at its disposal, while effectively supporting
Allies globally cannot be understated."
The Type 31 frigate
programme is designed to deliver to the Royal
Navy five flexible and affordable frigates that,
alongside the BAE Systems-built Type 26 frigate,
will replace the UK's current Type 23 frigates.
The Viasat UHF SATCOM solution will provide
reliable, dependable BLOS communications for the
Royal Navy's Type 31 vessels, when introduced
into service.