Government/Military

[Via Satellite 11-04-2014] Communications & Power Industries (CPI) Malibu Division has received an award worth more than $5 million for additional Ku-band Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) antenna ground terminals. The United States military uses the ground data terminals to facilitate communications for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Applications include providing video and radar...

[Via Satellite 11-03-2014] The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) needs more time to understand the potential impact of disaggregating large satellites into multiple smaller spacecraft, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). In a report published Oct. 30, the agency questioned the DOD’s readiness for disaggregation, highlighting that decisions made over the next two...

[Via Satellite 11-03-2014] Inmarsat has backed the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITUs) decision to place spectrum allocations for global flight tracking on the agenda for the 2015 World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15). Calling the resolution “timely action,” Inmarsat said it wholeheartedly supports the move and will also aid and assist in any study groups established on the...

[Via Satellite 11-03-2014] KVH Industries has been awarded a $4.3 million contract from a large defense contractor customer for TacNav navigational systems. The new customer has a short delivery requirement, which KVH intends to meet by shipping almost the entire order during the fourth quarter of 2014. TacNav provides jamming-resistant navigation, heading and pointing data...

[Via Satellite 10-31-2014] The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has passed a resolution at the Plenipotentiary Conference today to consider global flight tracking in its World Radiocommunication Conference in 2015 (WRC-15) agenda. The resolution also instructs the director of ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau to submit a specific report that incorporates two years of ITU Radiocommunication Sector studies...

[Via Satellite 10-29-2014] Rheinmetall Canada has awarded Elbit Systems a contract for ELSAT 2100 Satellite-on-the-Move (SOTM) systems that will be provided to the Canadian Armed Forces. The ELSAT 2100 SOTM system is used for high data rate broadband communications and is ruggedized for harsh environments. Elbit Systems said the contract value is not material to...

[Via Satellite 10-28-2014] The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission have established the budget for the Copernicus environmental monitoring program. The European Union’s seven-year Multiannual Financial Framework provides nearly $5.5 billion for Copernicus, of which approximately $4 billion will be allocated for the space component. The Sentinel satellites comprise the backbone of Copernicus....

[Via Satellite 10-27-2014] Northrop Grumman and industry partners Lockheed Martin and Telecommunications Systems (TCS) are awaiting U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) certification for Low Cost Terminals (LCTs) the companies began developing five years ago. The terminals are funded 50-50 between Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, with TCS managing equipment purchases and terminal integration. Once complete,...

[Via Satellite 10-27-201] The U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency has awarded a potential $770 million in indefinite delivery/requirements contracts for up to five years to Harris Corporation to provide geospatial data services. Under Foundation GEOINT Content Management (FGCM) contracts, Harris will create high-quality data and products of the Pacific, North America, South America, and Africa regions...

[Via Satellite 10-27-2014] Comtech Xicom Technology, a subsidiary of Comtech Telecommunications, has received an award for $1.5 million to supply high-power millimeter-wave Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers (TWTAs) from a U.S. government customer. The Comtech Xicom TWTA is a rugged outdoor amplifier and will be used in fixed and transportable satellite links for strategic military communications....