Australian CHORUS is on song
The Australian Department of Defence announced on 11 May that it is exploring ways to integrate laser-based optical and RF communication technologies onto a single …
AEHF-5 in transfer orbit
The Lockheed Martin-built Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-5) protected communication satellite is in transfer orbit after its launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 8 August.
The satellite separated from its United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket approximately 5.5 hours after its launch and transferred into the control of the US Air Force’s 4th Space Operations Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base.
AEHF-5 complete a geostationary ring of five satellites delivering global coverage for survivable, highly secure and protected communications for strategic command and tactical military forces operating on ground, sea and air platforms. In addition to the US military, AEHF also serves international partners including Canada and the UK.
AEHF-5, with its advanced Extended Data Rate waveform technology, adds to the constellation’s high-bandwidth network. One AEHF satellite provides greater total capacity than the entire legacy five-satellite Milstar communications constellation.
Mike Cacheiro, vice president for Protected Communications at Lockheed Martin Space, said: ‘This fifth satellite adds an additional layer of flexibility for critical strategic and tactical protected communications serving the warfighter. This added resilience to the existing constellation will help ensure warfighters can connect globally to communicate and transmit data at all times.
‘In the weeks ahead, AEHF-5 will move towards its operational orbit, deploy all of its solar arrays and antennas, and turn on its powerful communications payload for a rigorous testing phase prior to hand over to the air force.’
You may also like
More from Five Eyes Connectivity Special Report
-
![Australian CHORUS is on song]()
-
![Tactical data link provider expects major new order this month]()
Tactical data link provider expects major new order this month
Looking to the future of the Multifunctional Informational Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS), BAE Systems expects an imminent new production contract and …
-
![Fire Scout set to gain Link 16]()
Fire Scout set to gain Link 16
Northrop Grumman is set to receive new contracts from the US Navy over the next two years to integrate Link 16 on the MQ-8C Fire …
-
![Australian Army to acquire EW attack capability]()
Australian Army to acquire EW attack capability
Procurement of a new Australian Army electronic attack capability is set to begin this year. Indeed, acquisition of a force-level EW system that includes an …
-
![U-2 Dragon Lady shows plenty of life]()
U-2 Dragon Lady shows plenty of life
A popular phrase in the US is ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. In aviation, one could think of the DC-3 and the 747, …
-
![Light shines on Five Eyes SIGINT collection mechanisms]()
Light shines on Five Eyes SIGINT collection mechanisms
Although the mechanisms by which the ‘Five Eyes’ partners share their intelligence have been shrouded in secrecy for some years, revelations in recent years have …
