Harris reflectors deploy on MUOS-4
The unfurlable mesh antenna reflectors on-board the fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite have successfully deployed, Harris Corporation announced on 4 November.
The reflectors, developed by Harris, are a key technology for the five-satellite MUOS constellation. Harris has built ten reflectors for the constellation, with two carried on each satellite: one 14m diameter unit for multiple-beam operation that significantly increases the number of users and traffic the system can support, and one 5.4m diameter unit for legacy operations. The gold mesh reflectors are secured to the satellite by Harris precision booms.
MUOS will vastly improve secure satellite communications for mobile forces. It will provide users an on-demand, beyond-line-of-sight capability to simultaneously transmit and receive high-quality, prioritised voice and mission data, on a high-speed IP-based network.
With this fourth satellite, MUOS will provide near-global coverage at 16 times the capacity while continuing to support the legacy UFO system.
Bill Gattle, president, Harris Space and Intelligence Systems, said: ‘This successful on-orbit deployment validates the unique design and flexibility of our mesh reflectors. We remain committed to meeting the needs of the MUOS programme, which will ensure that our warfighters have the most advanced communications technology.’
More from Digital Battlespace
-
EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI
The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.
-
Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
-
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.