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Delivering mobile militarycommunications servicesSecure, reliable communications on the move (COTM) plays a critical role in the government andmilitary sectors the world over. Satellite, of course, plays a major part in keeping peopleconnected, delivering ubiquitous quality of service the world over. When COTM accessibility canmean the difference between mission success and mission failure, companies across the globeare eager to develop and improve service offerings to the best of their abilities.

Photo courtesy of Pexels

The ability to communicate on the move is something wetake for granted, but it’s also a fairly new development. It’snot so long ago now that we didn’t have access to mobilephones and other mobile communications technologies inour everyday lives. Today, however, it seems that most of usare communicating in one form or another for almost all ourwaking hours. With phones and tablets almost permanentlyattached to our hands, we interact with hundreds of peopleevery day over social media, for work and for pleasure.

The ability to communicate while mobile is an essentialpart of battlefield operations. Way back when, messengerswould travel to and fro, relaying vital information betweentroops and commanders. This method, along with messengerbirds and shouted orders, was eventually replaced by radioand Morse code, and more recently, personal role radios(PRRs).

As technology developed, so too did communicationscapabilities; in addition to PRRs, battlefield satellite

communications, utilising a mobile antenna, either flyawayor installed on ground vehicles, became commonplace. Thisnew era of satcom on the move (SOTM) allowed new, securemessaging capabilities, with real-time updates in a way thathad never been seen before. Development of more advancedcommunications on the move (COTM) systems, withincreased security or with SWAP (size, weight and power)improvements, is ongoing to this day.

Viasat ramps up military offeringsGlobal communications company Viasat has operated in thesatellite sector for more than 30 years, delivering services togovernment, commercial, enterprise and military customersthe world over. It’s been a significant year for the company,which is currently working to expand its presence in thegovernment and military markets.

In January, Viasat was awarded an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with an initial ceiling

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of US$350 million for advanced equipment, systems, servicesand support to significantly modernize ground/air situationalawareness, tactical data links, terrestrial networking,intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), tacticalsatellite communications, information assurance, networkmanagement and cybersecurity for Special OperationsForces.

The IDIQ contract is structured to expand and evolve overtime, keeping pace with rapid technology advancements inmobile networking, cybersecurity and broadband satellitecommunications technology sectors. The flexible nature ofthe IDIQ will allow Special Operations Command (SOCOM)to rapidly acquire, deploy and evolve a wide variety of newoperational capabilities, terminals, products, systems,services, support and sustainment in support of current andfuture SOCOM missions.

“We at Viasat have a deep and enduring commitment toour growing partnership with SOCOM. As a part of thatcommitment we continue to exploit opportunities to apply ourcutting-edge commercial technologies to rapidly develop anddeploy new and advanced military operational capabilities insupport of SOCOM’s most critical missions,” said KenPeterman, President, Government Systems Viasat. “This solesource award establishes a comprehensive contract vehicleenabling SOCOM to rapidly acquire and deploy these newand modern capabilities in support of evolving missionscenarios faster than ever before.”

The contract award is aligned with current Department ofDefense (DoD) initiatives to modernize the military’s tacticalnetwork. In recent statements to the Senate Armed ServicesCommittee, General Raymond A. Thomas, III, CommanderUSSOCOM discussed this need to be able to rapidlytransform capabilities: “While we are fully committed towinning the current fight, we are simultaneously working toprepare for the conflicts of tomorrow. We are always searching

for improvements and relentlessly pursuing our nextadvantage.”

This contract vehicle will help ensure SOCOM has amodern network with tactical systems that are agile andresponsive to the complex requirements of the multi-domainbattlespace, while assuring that deployed systems remainflexible enough to continuously evolve and adapt today’srapidly advancing technologies associated with mobilenetworking, information technology, cybersecurity andbroadband satellite communications.

Later in March, Viasat announced that services over itsViaSat-2 communications satellite were now available forgovernment, defence and military applications. The serviceleverages the world’s most advanced communicationssatellite, ViaSat-2, along with innovations in groundnetworking technologies, that will deliver significantperformance advantages over any other commercial or DoDsatcom system.

In early March, Viasat conducted a ViaSat-2 satcomsystem demonstration, attended by representatives from theUS armed forces, where they demonstrated a number ofcloud-based government applications. The speeds on theViaSat-2 satellite system demonstrated the industry’s fastestbroadband connections, exceeding 100Mbps during thedemonstration day.

The ViaSat-2 satcom system has the ability to:

• Transmit bandwidth-intensive, media-rich cloudapplications: Fast data rates and more satellite capacitywill enable 4K and HD video streaming to thousands ofelectronic devices simultaneously for greater operationalcapabilities at the tactical edge.

• Conduct more simultaneous operations: Abundantcapacity will enable warfighters to capture and sendIntelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)sensor data; transmit live two-way video conferencing andVoice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls; as well asconduct Command and Control (C2) and SituationalAwareness (SA) communications as prioritized traffic tomany more platforms in a region.

• Continue operating through an electromagnetic,terrestrial or cyber-attack: Resiliency is providedthrough the ViaSat-2 system’s exceptional anti-interfererperformance, Viasat’s unique Satellite Access Node(SAN) gateway diversity, seamless satellite switching andassured pattern re-routing to operate through gatewayfailures, and through Viasat’s Active Cyber Defense, whichautomatically detects, mitigates and attributes DistributedDenial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks against the network’sinfrastructure. The resilient nature of the Viasat networkwill enable mission-critical communication packets to beprotected and distributed safely, even in highly contestedcombat environments.

• Provide assured communications: Viasat’s BestAvailable Network concept provides a global, redundantsystem for military to access Viasat’s global Ku-bandnetworks, its more advanced Ka-band networks, as wellas the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system. TheBest Available Network allows terminals to roam acrossmultiple networks to maximize resilience andcollaboration for ground fixed, transportable, mobile,maritime and airborne platforms.

“We are proudly demonstrating emerging US governmentVia

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concept of operations requiring bandwidth-intensive, cloud-connected military applications with our latest high-throughput commercial satellite, ViaSat-2,” said KenPeterman, President, Government Systems, Viasat. “Theinnovations in the new ViaSat-2 satellite and network showthat we can dramatically improve operational capabilities formilitary missions. This satcom system is the first in our seriesof ultra-high-capacity global satellite networks, which willenable superior reach, readiness, and resiliency for globalmilitary forces.”

Meanwhile, in June, Viasat acquired UK-basedHorsebridge Defence and security, which focuses on design,system integration and support of deployable securenetworks, in order to enable Viasat to continue to grow itsbusiness in the UK defence market by delivering mission-critical ground-based communication networks and services.Horsebridge Defence and Security has developed robustrelationships with the UK Armed Forces, supporting a numberof UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) programmes.

“By acquiring Horsebridge Defence and Security, we hopeto accelerate the trajectory of our ability to support UK defenceoperations,” said Peterman. “Viasat builds best-of-breedtechnology solutions that leverage commercial innovation;and by combining our strengths with the deep domainexpertise of the Horsebridge Defence and Security team, weintend to reliably extend commercial, military or emergencyservice networks to the tactical mobile edge.”

The Horsebridge Defence and Security team will beintegrated into Viasat’s already established and growingFarnborough, UK-based organization. They will haveimmediate access to Viasat’s full communications portfoliofrom the company’s most advanced satellite communicationand Link 16 mobile networking solutions to its innovativecybersecurity and information assurance capabilities.

“Viasat is a strong match for the Horsebridge Defence

and Security team; we are aligned both culturally and in ourtechnical vision for how to bring secure ground networks toUK MOD and adjacent markets,” said Martin Flather, Director,Horsebridge Defence and Security. “Having access to Viasat’sbroad portfolio of technologies and capabilities will enableus to create new secure communications and mobilityplatforms that leverage high-capacity mobile networks withassured availability—with accredited secure voice, video andmessaging services—whenever and wherever military forcesrequire it in the UK or overseas.”

Horsebridge Defence and Security develops andintegrates technologies under its Kestrel II-branded servicesportfolio. The Kestrel brand has a strong reputation with MODthrough successful delivery of a high-capacity ground networkfor a specific operational mission. The Kestrel II portfolio offersa range of complementary secure network products, solutionsand services that are specifically targeted at today’s UKDefence requirements and are continuously integrated andcontinuously developed (CI/CD) to stay at the forefront oftechnology.

GetSAT delivers high speed mobile communications formilitary applicationsUSA-based GetSAT is an innovator in small, lightweightsatellite communications terminals for airborne, ground andmaritime applications. Serving the commercial andgovernment sectors, the company has been ramping up itspresence in the military sector in recent years.

In March, the US Government selected GetSAT’sMicroSAT and MilliSAT L/M (land and maritime) terminals forproviding maritime and ground-based secure COTMapplications.

GetSat’s micronized communications terminals are basedon the company’s patented fully-interlaced InterFLAT paneltechnology for transmitting and receiving signals on the same

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panel. Meeting the demanding requirements of full time usagein harsh environments, these rugged SOTM terminals offersignificant savings in size, weight, and power usage.

“Our selection by the US Government is not a surprise.Rather it is a testament to our platforms meeting a myriad ofmission critical operations parameters. Soon, GetSat’sInterFLAT panel technology, as well as our platforms, willbecome common names throughout the industry as wecontinue to provide leading edge communications on themove solutions, platforms and technologies,” said GetSATCEO, Kfir Benjamin.

Constructed in a super-light compact installation,GetSAT’s L/M platforms are micronized, fully integrated, onthe move rugged terminals. Based on built-in InterFLAT paneltechnology, all L/M terminals are easy to deploy and integrateand can be outfitted with various antenna sizes in accordancewith bandwidth requirements of ground, air and marineapplications. Its unique all-in-one design including BUC andmodem is optimized for harsh environments specs and itsultra-low power consuming platform is compatible with Kaand Ku-band applications.

MicroSat L/M has options for both the Ka and Ku-bands,providing autonomous operation for transmitting and receivingbandwidth data rates at more than 10Mbps. This midsizedterminal offers unprecedented bandwidth that can be handcarried in any environment. Meanwhile, MilliSAT L/M Ka is amedium lightweight portable on-the-move Ka-band satelliteterminal solution. MilliSat enables fully autonomoustransmission and reception of high bandwidth data rates of

more than 20Mbps. In August, GetSAT and Avanti Communications Group

successfully demonstrated the outstanding potential of SOTMcapabilities. Utilizing GetSAT’s MicroSat terminal installed ona vehicle, GetSAT’s Microhub modem installed in Avanti’sGateway Earth Station in Cyprus, and Avanti’s HYLAS 2 Ka-band satellite, data traffic rates reached up to 8.5Mbps fromthe moving vehicle, thus showcasing Avanti’s network abilityto stream live HD-quality video or surveillance imagery anddata traffic for military and government users.

The strategic partnership between Avanti and GetSAToffers significant capability enhancements to support militaryand government organisations in the provision of very small,flexible, agile and portable satellite communications. Thecollaboration will enable military and government users tomaximise the benefits of high throughput satellite (HTS)broadband and take full advantage of high capacity datatraffic, including full motion video and other C4ISRapplications, even when on the move. Having successfullydemonstrated the exceptional throughputs achievable, bothcompanies will now seek to further develop the capability.The US Army has recently chosen GetSAT’s MicroSatterminal as a critical enabler for mobile satellite connectivity.

“The partnership between Avanti’s High Throughput Ka-band technology and GetSAT’s ground-breaking Satellite onthe Move technology provides a capability that has enormouspotential for military and Government users. We are proud tobe working with GetSAT and look forward to collaborativelysupporting our Government and Military customers,”

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commented Graham Peters, Managing Director of AvantiGovernment.

“Avanti’s Ka-band satellite broadband has allowed us tofully demonstrate the capability of GetSAT’s technology,”added Kfir Benjamin, Chief Executive Officer of GetSAT. “Weare extremely proud of the equipment we have created, andit is therefore extremely important to be able to find a carrierthat allows us to fully maximise its potential. The combinationof GetSAT and Avanti will add real depth and much highercapacities to our existing offerings and allow us to supportthe needs of our users for high data C4ISR traffic in remotelocations and while on the move.”

Comtech Telecommunications achieves large COTMorders from US GovernmentComtech Telecommunications Corporation is famous theworld over for its top-of-the-range satcom equipment, withwhich it serves the commercial, enterprise, government andmilitary sectors. Thanks to its unique solutions, ComtechTelecommunications achieves an extraordinary amount ofwork with the US Government, for COTM, as well as its 9-1-1 platform and Blue Force Tracking programme.

In March, Comtech Telecommunications’ Command &Control Technologies group received a US$123.6 million,three-year contract award to provide ongoing sustainment

services for the AN/TSC-198A SNAP (Secret InternetProtocol Router (SIPR) and Non-classified Internet ProtocolRouter (NIPR) Access Point), Very Small Aperture Terminals(VSATs). SNAP terminals provide quick and mobile satellitecommunications capability to personnel in the field,and Comtech Telecommunications will be the sole providerof these sustainment services. The contract was initiallyfunded at US$3.1 million with additional funding expected tooccur across the performance period; this came later in July,when an order in excess of US$12.5 million, on top of theUS$123.6 million contract, was placed, bringing up thefunding to date to US$29.5 million.

“We are pleased that we have won this competitivesolicitation to provide sustainment services for the SNAPsatellite Earth station terminals. We are pleased that the USArmy has selected us to continue to perform this importantwork,” said Fred Kornberg, President and Chief ExecutiveOfficer of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. ”We believethe award of this contract further validates our strategy ofputting more emphasis on important contracts and workingclosely with the US Army.”

In the April, Comtech Telecommunications’ ComtechXicom Technology, Inc., subsidiary received a follow-oncontract for more than US$4.2 million from a US militaryintegrator for high-power satellite communication travellingwave tube amplifiers (TWTAs). This is the third instalment ofa multi-year program for these power amplifiers used intactical transportable SATCOM terminals. “We are pleasedto receive another follow-on order for this highly advancedmulti-band SATCOM system. Our outdoor TWTAs are provento be robust and reliable,” said Kornberg. ”We have rampedup our manufacturing capacity to meet the customer’saggressive schedule and anticipate shipping the entire orderthis fiscal year.”

July, meanwhile, saw more work for the Command &Control group, when new orders totalling US$10.6 millioncame in for the US Army PM Tactical Network, to provideManpack Satellite Terminals and networking equipment tothe Defense Logistics Agency SATCOM ProgramOffice and Headquarters United States Marine Corps. “Weare pleased that we have the opportunity to provide thismission essential equipment to our government customers,”said Kornberg. ”These orders through the Global TacticalAdvanced Communication Systems (GTACS) contractreinforce our partnership in supporting our warfighters.” V

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