MUOS-5 responding to ground control
Lockheed Martin's fifth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS-5) satellite has been successfully launched into space and is responding to the US Naval Spacecraft Operations Control facility in Naval Base Ventura County, the company announced on 24 June.
MUOS-5 is the final satellite in the US Navy's MUOS constellation for a new global military cellular communications network for mobile military forces. It will provide simultaneous, crystal-clear voice, video and mission data over a secure high-speed IP-based system.
Over the coming days, MUOS-5 will transition to its geosynchronous orbit location, around 22,000 miles above the Earth's surface. Its antennas and solar arrays will then be deployed. This will be followed by on-orbit testing and subsequent turn-over to the navy for testing and commissioning.
Once fully operational, the MUOS will provide users with 16 times more communications capacity than the legacy system it will replace. The MUOS-5 satellite has two payloads to support the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) satellite system and Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) waveform capabilities.
Mark Woempner, director of Narrowband Communications Systems at Lockheed Martin, said: ‘The launch of MUOS-5 is a major milestone. MUOS will be a game changer in communications for our service men and women on the front lines around the world.
'Now that the navy’s constellation is complete, we will continue to work with our government and industry teammates to further refine MUOS based on user feedback. We are committed to bringing all of MUOS’ advanced capabilities to our warfighters.’
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family]()
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
-
![BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme]()
BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme
DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.
-
![Just Released: Space Technology Report]()
Just Released: Space Technology Report
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
-
![Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality]()
Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality
Defence-secure mixed reality headsets can save hours, or even weeks, of travel time to fix defunct equipment or get subject experts effectively “on-site” where they are needed.
-
![Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems]()
Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems
The Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) and Drone Restricted Access Using Known Electromagnetic Warfare (DRAKE) counter-UAS (CUAS) systems are mounted and dismounted RF jammers.
-
![Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support]()
Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support
Adarga’s Vantage information analysis tool is in service with the UK MoD and individual UK forces. It builds on the company’s Knowledge Platform which processes, organises and analyses open source material, as well as information held by the user’s military, security and intelligence services.
