Sponsored By Viasat
www.viasat.com/gov-uk
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17 Mar 22. Cobham SATCOM Unveils Tactical TRACKER Range of Transportable Tracking Terminals. Defense industry’s first fully multi-orbit tactical terminals enable switching between GEO, MEO and LEO satellite constellations, offering unrivalled capabilities and resilience.
Cobham SATCOM, a leading global provider of land and maritime satellite communications solutions to the Government and Enterprise sectors, has today announced the launch of its ground-breaking new Tactical TRACKER antenna range.
The new terminals are available in three sizes and are the first MIL-STD antennas to fully support multi-orbit tracking across GEO, MEO and LEO satellites. Combining highly accurate multi-orbit tracking capabilities with a rugged, lightweight, and robust design, the new terminals provide unmatched deployment flexibility and a future-ready terminal for ultra-resilient battlefield communications.
The tracking terminals are easy to operate, fast to deploy and quick to connect – going from box to operational in less than 30 minutes. A tool-free assembly and set-up further streamlines the process. This rapid deployment and connection time allows users to be prepared in mission-critical scenarios, where every second counts.
“Innovation is at the core of Cobham SATCOM, so we’re proud to be able to announce the first transportable terminals featuring full multi-orbit tracking capabilities” noted Kevin McMahon, Director of Sales for Government and Defense Solutions. “New LEO and MEO constellations will transform tactical operations, so it’s vital to have future-ready terminals that can leverage these constellations and help our users maintain their communications advantage.”
The Tactical TRACKER antennas will be officially unveiled at the Satellite 2022 show in Washington DC from March 22nd-24th (Source: PR Newswire)
16 Mar 22. Rafael to Present at Satellite 2022 for the 1st Time and will Unveil its New LiteSat Family of Earth Observation Satellites Dedicated to Enable High Revisit ISR.
March 22-24, 2022: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. will be showcasing new satellite capabilities at Satellite 2022. This marks the first time Rafael is participating in Satellite 2022 and will be showcasing new technologies and capabilities in the Washington, D.C. based space exhibition.
Throughout the exhibition Rafael will be displaying the LiteSatTM HR2C (Very High Resolution & High Revisit Constellation) which features unique capabilities in the global space market. The LiteSat HR2C is specifically designed to enable the effective deployment of a large constellation with true high revisit capabilities. With almost UAV-like potential from space, it can complete highly demanding tactical missions that require revisit rates of less than 10 minutes. It is the first end-to-end space Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) platform designed from the ground up to provide military-grade, very high resolution, high revisit, and multi-sensor capabilities. LiteSat HR2C provides 30 cm resolution through an Electro-Optical payload fused with a Synthetic-aperture Radar (SAR) payload (in the same satellite). These unique capabilities function in a highly performance-to-cost effective package that enables deployment of a large constellation in order to achieve unprecedented high persistence tactical mission capabilities.
LiteSat’s payloads are based on Rafael’s extensively proven, industry-leading electro-optical capabilities which are demonstrated in the world’s most widely-used targeting pod, Litening, and the RecceLite reconnaissance pod. Imagery from LiteSat is then accessed, processed, and fused by the multi-mission, multi-management ImiLite Ground Exploitation System; An Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning based Exploitation Center, the ImiLite GES will also be displayed at the exhibition in Washington, D.C. Rafael is a prominent provider of space components
15 Mar 22. The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) and Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently completed a critical design review for the Protected Tactical SATCOM Prototype (PTS-P), validating Boeing’s technical maturity on the rapid-prototyping program.
“We’re making great progress on this pacesetter program,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Rose, SSC’s Tactical SATCOM Division deputy chief. “We’ve asked all industry partners to move fast — to build, iterate, demonstrate, and improve performance, so we can deploy much faster than we typically would. This design review demonstrates we’re on track to deliver new communication capabilities to the warfighter.”
Boeing’s PTS-P features an on-board processor of the U.S. military’s jam-resistant Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW), providing users in-theater anti-jam capability with network routing that exceeds objective requirements.
Scheduled for on-orbit demonstration after a 2024 launch, the prototype payload showcases PTS-P’s improved stand-off distance performance, reduced latency, and other mission-enabling capabilities that enable the warfighter in a modern battlefield. Host vehicle integration and testing will begin next year.
Boeing is leveraging its expertise in model-based systems engineering and digital engineering to design an agile, scalable and flexible solution to meet the warfighter’s ever-emerging needs. Millennium Space Systems strengthens the team with rapid prototyping and demonstrations in a fully-integrated and streamlined execution approach.
“The Space Force’s incremental demonstration approach is allowing us to bring capabilities rapidly to the warfighter while mitigating risk for future technology developments,” said Troy Dawson, Government Satellite Systems vice president at Boeing. “We’re investing across our satellite portfolio to deliver the most advanced solutions to our customers. Our scalable software-defined payload will be able to accommodate and grow to meet the needs of any mission, and it can be hosted on commercial or government platforms.”
To date, the Boeing team has completed several capability demonstrations and design reviews, including validating interoperability with government-furnished Protected Anti-Jam Tactical SATCOM (PATS) hardware and software components.
16 Mar 22. Heico buys GPS supplier Flight Microwave. Lucix Corporation, a subsidiary of US-based Heico Corporation, has expanded its satellite hardware portfolio by acquiring frequency filter manufacturer Flight Microwave Corporation, Heico announced on 14 March.
Flight Microwave’s products are used in the US Space Force’s Global Positioning System (GPS) III satellite programme and “other key US government satellite payloads”, Heico said. Flight Microwave, whose design and production centre is located in El Segundo, California, will move to Lucix’s headquarters, engineering, and production centre in Camarillo, California. “Nearly all” of Flight Microwave’s workforce will remain with the business, Heico said. Lucix acquired Flight Microwave from chief executive officer (CEO) Rolf Kich, chief financial officer Mike Callas, and a third person who was a silent investor. The financial terms of the all-cash transaction were not disclosed. Lucix’s existing space products include frequency converters and receivers, and power amplifiers and monitors. Heico’s Electronic Technologies Group has owned Lucix since 2013. (Source: Janes)
16 Mar 22. ThinKom Introduces Ka-Band COTM Phased-Array Satellite Antenna. ThinKom Solutions, Inc., today unveiled a new Ka-band phased-array satellite antenna for communications-on-the-move (COTM) applications.
The new ThinSat® Ka500, based on ThinKom’s proven VICTS* technology, is a “turnkey” terminal that enables the user to easily and quickly connect to the network of their choice, such as the existing and new Ka-band networks being deployed using satellites in geostationary (GSO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) orbits. It has the beam agility to track NGSO satellites as they move rapidly across the sky, as well as switch seamlessly between satellites.
This new Ka-band antenna meets the Army’s Capability Sets 25 and 27 (CS25 and CS27) needs to provide robust, reliable and resilient command, control and communications capabilities in full support of the DOD JADC2 requirements for military wheeled and tracked vehicles. The compact form factor, low prime power and affordability also enables other applications such as homeland security, disaster recovery, emergency management, oil/gas and broadcast media. It supports continuous high-quality voice, broadband data and broadcast-quality video streaming at highway speeds on- or off-road.
The lightweight, low-profile antenna measures just 33 x 33 inches and 5 inches high, weighs only 75 pounds and easily mounts on standard vehicle roof racks.
“The new antenna will enable government and enterprise users to maintain reliable ‘always-on’ mission-critical communications over the entire 3.5 GHz ITU Ka-band spectrum anywhere in the world, including the most remote and challenging environments,” said Bill Milroy, CTO and chairman of ThinKom Solutions. “Most important, it utilizes our field-proven VICTS phased-array architecture with an unmatched track record of high-reliability performance on thousands of aero and land-mobile platforms worldwide.”
“Owing to the transformational VICTS antenna technology, the Ka500 is up to 1/8 the size and 15x more power efficient than a comparable performing electronically scanned array (ESA) and does not require the cost and complexity of liquid cooling systems that many ESAs require to operate effectively,” Milroy added.
Planned variants of the ThinSat Ka500 will address the need for simultaneous connection to two satellites to allow for full-duplex “make before break” operation, as well as Ku- and Ka-band interoperability.
ThinKom will showcase the ThinSat Ka500 phased-array COTM antenna, along with its full range of other satellite antenna solutions for aero, land and space applications, in Booth 531 at the SATELLITE 2022 exhibition and conference in Washington, D.C., March 21-24.
(*VICTS = Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub)
15 Mar 22. Demonstration satellites retire with stellar record of performance and pave the way for future early-warning missile systems.
Space Development Agency to launch next missile warning satellites earlier than expected.
The Space Development Agency plans to solicit proposals for its next round of tracking satellites in the coming weeks — an accelerated schedule enabled by major funding increase included in the defense spending bill.
The $550m SDA increase included in the fiscal 2022 appropriations bill — which the president is expected to sign into law Tuesday before the current stopgap funding terms expire — will allow the agency to accelerate its plans to launch 28 missile warning satellites to low Earth orbit from 2026 to early 2025, according to a senior defense official who spoke to reporters Tuesday on background.
The increase — along with another $50m added for various demonstration efforts — grows SDA’s total development and prototyping funding for fiscal 2022 from $636m to $1.2bn. The official stressed that SDA did not ask for the funding boost, but claimed it as “clearly an endorsement of what we’ve been up to.”
The satellites, which will carry overhead persistent infrared sensors for missile tracking, are part of SDA’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer — a key component of the agency’s National Space Defense Architecture that is ultimately planned to consist of hundreds of satellites operating primarily in LEO. The first batch of eight tracking satellites, referred to as Tranche 0, are slated for launch in 2023.
“We’re really excited to push forward and make sure that we get all of our Tranche 0 and Tranche 1 constellations delivered on time and on budget,” the official said.
The official noted that even with the increase, fiscal 2022 funding represents just a portion of the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer budget and does not pay for all 28 satellites. SDA estimates the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer will cost about $2.5bn to develop and launch, the official said.
While the additional funding will have a schedule impact, the official said an earlier version of the appropriations legislation recommended a $750 m boost, which would have allowed SDA to launch the Tranche 1 tracking satellites in late 2024.
Soon after the release of the tracking solicitation, SDA plans to issue a draft solicitation for Tranche 1 prototype satellites, part of a separate effort to experiment with new capabilities. The plan had been to request bids for those prototypes early this year, but since the funding release accelerated the Tranche 1 tracking schedule, the agency opted to move more slowly on the demonstration effort.
“We are very concerned with the bandwidth of our industrial performer base as well as our internal SDA bandwidth, so we’re not going to release both of those solicitations at the same time,” SDA Director Derek Tournear said earlier this month.
The official told reporters Tuesday that SDA is closely monitoring the supply chain for its satellites, noting that parts shortages — especially electronics — continue to be a concern for the agency. In fact, the agency had previously made schedule changes to allow contractors to request long-lead items earlier in order to mitigate supply issues.
“Those are still items that our primes are working pretty closely with their subcontractors to make sure they can mitigate,” the official said. “They all have closure plans on how to get there, but those parts are not sitting on the shelf ready to go right now.”
Meanwhile, the program is making progress on its Tranche 0 Tracking Layer effort, with L3Harris and SpaceX each building four wide-field-of-view satellites. SDA awarded the contracts in 2020 — L3Harris received $193 m and SpaceX $149 m — and both companies have completed critical design reviews.
SDA is also working in concert with the Missile Defense Agency as it oversees the development of medium-field-of-view satellites through its Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor program. MDA in 2021 awarded Northrop Grumman a $155 m contract and L3Harris a $122 m contract for those satellites.
Built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) in support of the Missile Defense Agency, two demonstration Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) satellites successfully completed their missions and have been retired. Their achievements pave the way for future operational missile warning and tracking systems that will defend the nation.
“Launched in 2009 and expected to operate for four years, these demonstration satellites outlived their design life threshold three times over,” said Sarah Willoughby, vice president, overhead persistent infrared and geospatial systems, Northrop Grumman. “Now we are applying what we learned from STSS for future systems to keep America and its allies safe.”
The STSS experimental spacecraft proved their ability to detect and track short-, medium-, intermediate- and intercontinental-range missiles from boost phase to midcourse, then communicate target-quality track data to command and control systems for interception.
The satellites used sensors to detect and track ballistic missiles for interception. They tracked targets; helped discriminate real threats, guide interceptors to targets, and assess interceptor hits; collected data on launches, on-orbit satellites, satellite re-entries and other space-based missions; and played a critical role in one of MDA’s integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System flight test.
Northrop Grumman is a technology company, focused on global security and human discovery. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with capabilities they need to connect, advance and protect the U.S. and its allies. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our 90,000 employees define possible every day.
14 Mar 22. France puts space at top of national — and European — security priorities. France is several years into a multibillion-euro investment in military space capabilities, and the country is using its temporary role leading the European Council presidency to emphasize the operational domain’s importance across the continent.
Mirroring its American partners, officials in Paris have in recent years upped the rhetoric and investment around military efforts in space. “If space was the ‘new frontier’ of the 1960s, there is no doubt that today it is a ‘new front’ on the battlefield,” French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said in a recent op-ed for Defense News.
Since 2018, France has put space at the center of its defense strategy, said Simona Soare, a research fellow for defense and military analysis at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. “There has been a greater realization among the French authorities of the importance and the weight that space is gaining as a new operational domain, but also as a domain that is lacking in rules of the road,” she told Defense News.
In the years since, Paris has reworked the way it organizes and funds its space capabilities, and it developed a new space-dedicated exercise. In 2019, France released a national space defense strategy and launched its own Space Command, locally known as Commandement de l’espace, or CDE. In 2020, the French Air Force was renamed the French Air and Space Force to recognize the importance of space as its own warfighting domain. In 2021, the nation led its inaugural space exercise, dubbed AsterX, with the second edition having run Feb. 24-March 4 in Toulouse.
The exercise involved a fictional geopolitical situation, inspired by existing and anticipated threats, running over 24 “virtual” days that were compressed into six actual days, CDE Commander Gen. Michel Friedling said in a March 3 press briefing.
France simulated a space environment with more than 10,000 objects across all orbits and devised a scenario with 16 space-based events covering “the entire spectrum of plausible threats in space today,” he said.
The second AsterX exercise widened the scope from the inaugural edition, as it integrated the Armed Forces Ministry’s “full cyber defense chain,” involved a bigger intelligence function and was multinational in nature. The German and Italian space situational awareness centers were particularly involved in AsterX, Friedling noted.
High-level representatives of the European Union, of NATO and of EU member nations were invited to observe and take part in discussions during the exercise, demonstrating France’s desire to facilitate a greater emphasis on national defense space initiatives at the continentwide level.
France sees itself as part of a very small club of European nations with significant space capabilities, Soare noted. The Armed Forces Ministry plans to spend €646m (U.S. $706m) in the space domain in 2022, and has earmarked €5.3bn to spend on military space capabilities and services between 2019 and 2025, Friedling told the French Senate’s panel for defense and foreign affairs in a December 2021 hearing.
As France took over its six-month term as president of the European Council in January, Paris has pushed other EU members to realize the centrality and necessity of space-based assets for defense and security purposes, as well as for society more broadly, Soare said.
Officials have highlighted the need to focus on space situational awareness, connectivity and space-traffic management. In December, France launched three signals intelligence satellites to form the CERES constellation. This year, Paris will launch its third CSO Earth-observation satellite, completing that constellation, along with the first Syracuse IV system that will provide greater connectivity to all domains of warfare and serve as an upgrade to the current Syracuse III satellite.
France recently signed on to continue two contracts related to space situational awareness. One is a contract extension with ArianeGroup to use the company’s GEOTracker network of optical stations to track space objects in medium Earth orbit, geostationary orbit, and high Earth orbit.
France first purchased ArianeGroup’s services in 2017, a spokesperson for the Air and Space Force told Defense News in an email. The contract extension, signed in October 2021, will run for four years and includes new experimentation to further the use of the company’s group of telescopes, the spokesperson said.
The second deal, with Safran Data Systems, is an extension of a service contract signed in May 2020 to provide radio frequency data for more precise space situational awareness. The extension was signed in December 2021 and will provide Space Command with additional service coverage, the spokesperson added.
Even a continuation of past contracts at this point is significant in that it shows how seriously France is taking the implementation of its national space defense strategy, and that the government is following through on investments in the domain, Soare noted.
The sizable funding pot for space-based capabilities has implications for its defense industry as well, she added.
“I think that they are indeed preparing for this competition to heat up,” she said. “It’s about signaling and positioning themselves as one of the leaders in this field that can offer other partners very strong capabilities.” (Source: Defense News)
14 Mar 22. Elma’s Development Platforms Serve as Basis for Latest TSOA-ID Interoperability Demo of Products Aligned to SOSA.
Integrated systems support strong open standards ecosystem with at least six included industry partners.
Key Highlights
- Two live demonstrations at TSOA-ID on March 15th
- Multiple industry partners collaborate in two different platforms
- Based on Elma’s new CompacFrame development platform and the new 12-slot backplane aligned to SOSA Technical Standard 1.0 and CMOSS
Elma Electronic, along with several industry partners, will be demonstrating two integrated systems aligned with The Open Group® Sensor Open Systems Architecture™ (SOSA) Technical Standard 1.0 at the Tri-Service Open Architecture Interoperability Demonstration (TSOA-ID) on March 15th in Solomons, MD. One platform will be running object detection & recognition demonstration, highlighting AI capabilities. The second platform will demonstrate RF traffic monitoring and chassis management (ChM).
Both demos support an ecosystem of SOSA aligned partner boards, or Plug-In Cards (PICs), designed to be used in rugged applications.
Ken Grob, director of embedded computing at Elma Electronic, noted, “Interoperability among industry partner products is what will catapult future military systems into new realms of enhanced functionality, intelligence and capability. We’re seeing the reality of Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) initiatives as the embedded community comes together in these highly collaborative, live, working demonstrations.”
The base of one interoperability demo uses Elma’s SOSA aligned 6-slot 3U VPX CompacFrame development platform, while the other uses the company’s 3U 12-Slot Development Platform Aligned to SOSA 1.0 and CMOSS.
Current partner products involved in the demos include an Intel Xeonsingle board computer (SBC) from Kontron (VX305C-40G), an NVIDIA-based graphics and GPGPU mezzanine card from EIZO Rugged (Condor NVP2000xPF), a transceiver card from Spectranetix (SX-430 EW) and a 10/40 Gigabit Ethernet switch from Interface Concept (ComEth 4590a). Other partners who’ve been included in demonstrations are Concurrent Technologies, Pentek (now Mercury Systems), Abaco Systems and others. Backplanes can accommodate VITA 62 power slots, such as those available from Behlman Electronics, for example.
All of Elma’s products aligned to the SOSA Technical Standard 1.0 strive to follow the defense industry’s hardware and software convergence initiatives per the DoD’s convergence initiative as laid out in the MOSA mandate.
With one of the widest product ranges available in the embedded industry, Elma also offers standard and custom cabinets and enclosures as well as precision components such as rotary switches/encoders, LEDs, front panels and small cases.
Elma leverages proven technology based on SOSA, VITA, PICMG, and other standards-based architectures (i.e. SOSA, OpenVPX, VME, CompactPCI Serial, COM Express and PCIe/104). Elma is actively engaged in designing solutions for applications requiring smaller footprints.
Elma Electronic manages entire projects from initial system architecture to specification, design, manufacturing and test through its worldwide production facilities and sales offices. The company serves the mil/aero, industrial, research, telecom, medical and commercial markets and is certified to ISO 9001 and AS 9100.
With U.S. headquarters in Fremont, Calif., the company maintains multiple sales, engineering and manufacturing operations in Atlanta, Ga., and Philadelphia, Pa.
11 Mar 22. Aitech Systems, a leading provider of rugged boards and system level solutions for military, aerospace and space applications, announces its strategic partnership with Sidus Space, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIDU) to develop and deliver custom Command and Data Handling (C&DH) flight computers and peripherals for LizzieSat™ microsatellites. Sidus Space is a leading Space-as-a-Service satellite company focused on commercial satellite design, manufacture, launch, and data collection. Its flagship multi-mission microsatellite, LizzieSat, seamlessly links with the Sidus constellation, leveraging the full in-space services of the Sidus fleet. This dramatically enhances the collection and intelligent analysis of space-born data returning richer, more precise data down-to-earth in less time.
Anthony Lai, Business and R&D Director for Space at Aitech, noted, “Being a part of Sidus’ strategic initiatives to enable the rapid and affordable deployment of disruptive space technologies aligns with our goal of helping system developers of space electronics realize scalable network connectivity, computing and storage within each mission platform.”
“We have recently received initial components of our core C&DH system development environment from Aitech to support LizzieSat,” said Jamie Adams, Chief Technology Officer for Sidus Space. “The C&DH flight computers are a vital component of LizzieSat as they essentially function as the ‘brain’ of the system.”
LizzieSats (LS) are 3D manufactured Low Earth Orbit (LEO) microsatellites focused on rapid, cost-effective development and testing of upcoming innovative spacecraft technologies for multiple customers. LS is a 100kg (220-pound) satellite with the ability to rapidly integrate mission-specific sensors and technologies.
Aitech rugged, reliable and space-rated electronics systems and components are used in a variety of government, commercial and private space programs and have flown trillions of miles and operated over a million hours without failure. The company continues to develop cost-effective COTS-based and custom integrated systems, depending on radiation and mission requirements, giving the company the ability to offer an extensive array of space solutions with the backing of several decades worth of engineering experience.
10 Mar 22. Kymeta Partners with PathFinder Digital on u8 MIL Terminal. PathFinder Digital and Kymeta (www.kymetacorp.com), the communications company making mobile global, entered into an agreement for the development of enhanced features for the Kymeta™ u8 MIL terminal.
PathFinder Digital, a specialist in the design, manufacturing, and aftermarket support of mobile satellite ground terminals (VSATs), primarily for DoD applications, is providing Kymeta with engineering and fabrication services for the ruggedization and production of Kymeta’s new u8 MIL terminals built for military markets.
The u8 MIL hybrid terminal provides a complete connectivity solution for communications-on-the-move and networks-on-the-move. The u8 MIL hybrid terminal, with Kymeta’s revolutionary software defined, electronic beam-steering technology, is low profile and easy to mount on vehicles and vessels. u8 MIL hybrid terminals support multiple embedded modems in both standard commercial networks as well as those employing TRANSEC communications security.
About PathFinder Digital LLC
PathFinder specializes in the development of mobile ground terminal satellite communications solutions engineered to meet the unique and particular needs of each project, primarily for military and government agency programs. PathFinder identifies or develops the best solutions to meet the objectives of each set of communications requirements ensuring compliance with MIL-STD specifications. For more information please visit www.PathFinderDigital.com. PathFinder personnel can be reached at or (413) 575-5631. (Source: PR Newswire)07 Mar 22. Spire Global + Sierra Nevada Corporation Blend Tech In Forming A New Partnership.
07 Mar 22. Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) has engaged in a partnership with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) on a space services program to address a growing market need for radio frequency (RF) collection and analysis. Spire’s cluster of four 6U smallsats will enhance SNC technology that detects and geolocates certain objects based on targeted RF emissions. The program will provide valuable insight into how military and government organizations can better manage RF emissions and safeguard against RF and GPS interference.
SNC is a global aerospace and national security leader, delivering tailored solutions to government and commercial customers with technological applications in satellites and space exploration, aircraft integration, navigation and guidance systems, security and threat detection, scientific research, and infrastructure protection. A pioneer in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), SNC brings more than 12 years of experience developing advanced algorithms, analytics, process automation and leading laboratories to the project.
Spire has offices in San Francisco, Boulder, Washington DC, Glasgow, Luxembourg, Cambridge, Ontario, Oxfordshire, and Singapore.
“This is an exciting and important strategic partnership for Spire, and we thank SNC for their confidence in our team and our space-as-a-service offering,” Director Intelligence Community Sales, Spire Federal’s Mark Carhart said. “Spire’s secure, scalable and space-proven satellite platform will enable SNC to advance its RF collection capabilities in an efficient, low-risk and cost-effective manner.”
“We are excited to partner with Spire and further extend our geospatial intelligence capabilities,” said SNC Executive Vice President, Tim Owings. “We’re looking forward to bringing this new commercial data stream and enhanced RF awareness to our customers in the national security and defense areas.”
Spire is a leading global provider of space-based data, analytics, and space services, offering access to unique datasets and powerful insights about Earth from the ultimate vantage point so that organizations can make decisions with confidence, accuracy, and speed. Spire uses one of the world’s largest multi-purpose satellite constellations to source hard to acquire, valuable data and enriches it with predictive solutions. Spire then provides this data as a subscription to organizations around the world so they can improve business operations, decrease their environmental footprint, deploy resources for growth and competitive advantage, and mitigate risk. Spire gives commercial and government organizations the competitive advantage they seek to innovate and solve some of the world’s toughest problems with insights from space.
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is a trusted leader in innovative, advanced technology solutions and open architecture integrations in aerospace and national security. Best known for its unique mission applications, SNC creates customized solutions for the world’s most pressing technology challenges in the fields of aviation, national security space, electronic warfare, command and control, mission systems and inline cybersecurity. SNC is owned by Chairwoman and President Eren Ozmen and CEO Fatih Ozmen, and is once again recognized as a US Best Managed Company by Deloitte Private. In spring 2021, SNC announced the transition of its Space Systems business area to an independent commercial space company, Sierra Space. (Source: Satnews)
07 Mar 22. Mission Microwave’s Major Manufacturing Milestone Met. Mission Microwave has now manufactured more than 10,000 Gallium Nitride based Solid State Block Upconverters (BUCs) for customers in the SATCOM industry. The company was founded in 2014 to bring advances in Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors to the satellite terminal business. The majority of the 10,000 units manufactured since inception were built and shipped over the past two years and have supported the rapidly growing SATCOM Mobility market in X-, Ku- and Ka-band at power levels up to 400 watts. Block Upconverters and Solid State Power Amplifiers (SSPAs) are typically one of the most complex and expensive components in SATCOM earth stations. The expertise required to design and manufacture these high power and high frequency products is unique and highly sought after within the space and defense industries. Mission Microwave leads the industry in high power Ka-band BUCs at power levels in excess of 200 watts, with hundreds of units deployed in harsh environments.
“Our customers support the most demanding applications in the SATCOM industry,” said Francis Auricchio, President and CEO of Mission Microwave. “When the team started Mission Microwave, we knew that our target customers would welcome an RF equipment supplier willing to work with them to push the envelope and explore the art of the possible; being both practical and producible in volume. Product performance, reliable support, and a devoted workforce, combined with our strength in RF design, have enabled this rapid growth. With a solid base of top-tier customers and a number of recent wins in the aviation and non-GEO gateway markets, we expect our customers to enjoy greater success in the future.”
Microwave Technologies, LLC Mission Microwave Technologies brings revolutionary design for RF (Radio Frequency) and microwave electronics, supporting ground-based, airborne, and space-based applications. Using the latest in semiconductor technology, Mission Microwave’s focus is to minimize the size, weight, and power (SWaP) for these critical applications, while providing its customers with the best possible reliability. Mission Microwave sets the new standard for design, performance, and reliability. (Source: Satnews)
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At Viasat, we’re driven to connect every warfighter, platform, and node on the battlefield. As a global communications company, we power millions of fast, resilient connections for military forces around the world – connections that have the capacity to revolutionize the mission – in the air, on the ground, and at sea. Our customers depend on us for connectivity that brings greater operational capabilities, whether we’re securing the U.S. Government’s networks, delivering satellite and wireless communications to the remote edges of the battlefield, or providing senior leaders with the ability to perform mission-critical communications while in flight. We’re a team of fearless innovators, driven to redefine what’s possible. And we’re not done – we’re just beginning.
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