US Army awards $35 million satellite communications contract to Rockwell Collins

Iowa-based avionics and defense company Rockwell Collins has received a $35 million contract from the US Army for satellite communications services. This new agreement is part of the indefinite quantity, indefinite delivery contract for services worth $88 million.

Rockwell Collins is expected to deliver its services through FlexForce Life Cycle Service Solution which it had been using for various military and government organizations across the globe. The contract will see Rockwell Collins delivers upgrades to satellite communications services, provide maintenance to the systems and networks, as well as give training support for the Army in their missions.

According to Scott Gunnufson, vice president and general manager of Service Solutions for Rockwell Collins, the company will also be handling the maintenance of critical satellite equipment which delivers internet on satellite, voice, video, and data solutions to military personnel, necessary for warfare.

 

Recommended read:

• Businesses, industries turning to the Ka band spectrum

Boeing to build SES’ 11th spacecraft

American aerospace and defense giant Boeing has just snagged a contract to build SES 11th spacecraft, the SES 9 - a 702HP satellite to boost the Luxembourg-based satellite company’s transmission capacity in Indonesia, South Asia, and the rest of Northeast Asia.

 

Demand for satellite bandwidth capacity has been surging in Asia, and SES CEO, Romain Bausch, was happy to announce the agreement in Boeing as not only the latest effort to solidify business relationships but also improve the company’s global satellite fleet. SES currently has 52 geostationary satellite.

 

According to Craig Cooning of Boeing, the SES 9 will be outfitted with a xenon ion propulsion system, as well as a chemical bi-propellant system that remarkably reduces the launch weight of the vessel. The technology also allows the SES 9 to maximize payload capacity.

 

Aside from cutting-edge materials to be used in the satellite’s construction, the bird will also be equipped with 57 high-power ku band transponders to support the growing demand for bandwidth in target regions. The rise of mobile applications have also pushed demand for segment capacity in order to meet the growing needs in maritime communications, VSAT technology, broadcasting, telecom, mobile and fixed networks, as well as internet on satellite.

 

Based on the CASBAA forum, Asia is now the leading region in the satellite industry, providing operators and companies offering fringe technologies, new, diverse thriving markets.

 

You might also like to read:

• Inmarsat, Honeywell sign MDA for GX Aviation satellite Internet capacity