The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has successfully completed the first stage of live mission tests in Afghanistan designed to upgrade ISR data link capabilities.
The upgrade saw a modem replacement on the C-130 aircraft, which was already equipped with a previous generation ArcLight modem and VR-12 11.5 inch Ku-band antenna. Using the same antenna, the link achieved data rates of 4MB per second, transmitting full motion video from the aircraft to an undisclosed hub also located in Afghanistan.
USSOCOM is understood to be continuing to operate the system out of Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan despite the end