[Satellite Today 07-16-09] Lockheed Martin and Granite State Manufacturing (GSM) received a $6.9 million contract from the U.S. Navy to design, test and manufacture an upgraded submarine mast antenna system that will provide vessels with improved UHF-band satellite communications, Lockheed Martin announced July 15.
    The mast antenna will add Link 16, Iridium and Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) UHF satellite communications capabilities while maintaining performance in legacy bands. “This upgrade ensures compatibility with new satellites and evolving communication systems to ensure that submarine forces will remain connected to the global information grid,” Lockheed Martin Vice President Joe Rappisi said in a statement.
    The design award is part of a larger Navy system contract with a cumulative value of $57.6 million, if all options are exercised. Lockheed Martin and GSM said they expect to upgrade at least 12 submarine systems per year over six years.