Inmarsat has signed VSAT terminal supplier L-3 Global Communications Solutions (GCS) as an initial launch partner for land satellite terminals for its future Global Xpress service, the mobile satellite communications provider announced Nov. 7.
   This partnership aims to deliver the L-3 GCS’s field-tested credibility that Global Xpress customers seek when upgrading to Ka-band speed and coverage by bringing L-3 GCS’ Panther – and Hawkeye-certified terminals together with Inmarsat’s global managed services. Introduction of the Global Xpress service is scheduled for 2014 and is designed to deliver a combination of high data rates, bandwidth and global coverage by shifting operations to Ka-band, bringing Inmarsat’s trusted end-to-end global connectivity to the VSAT market.
    "Inmarsat is pleased to include L-3 GCS as a supplier of Global Xpress-qualified terminals,” Global Xpress Managing Director Leo Mondale said in a statement. “Government customers have come to rely on Panther and Hawkeye equipment for some of their most critical missions. They will be especially pleased that the outstanding performance and reliability they have come to expect in the field from L-3 GCS terminals will soon support global high-rate secure operations across the Inmarsat Global Xpress network."
   Global Xpress partner companies will manufacture a range of interoperable maritime, aeronautical and commercial land satellite terminals, specifically designed for high-performance operation in the Ka-band utilizing VT iDirect’s new Core Module. Utilizing its partners, the Global Xpress objective is to deliver up to 50Mbps downlink speeds with 60cm aperture terminals.