[Satellite TODAY 09-15-09] Paradigm Secure Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS Astrium, has expanded its distribution partnership with Intelsat General by naming the company as its preferred U.S. distributor of X-band and UHF communications services, Intelsat General announced Sept. 14.
     In 2008, Intelsat General signed a $48 million contract with DRS Technologies to provide the U.S. military with X-band satellite capacity on Paradigm’s Skynet satellites. Intelsat General signed another contract later in the year to provide UHF services on the Skynet satellites to the U.S. Navy. Paradigm provides satellite communication services to the U.K. Ministry of Defense and operates the Skynet 4 and Skynet 5 fleet of X-band/UHF satellites.
     “This agreement provides an even wider framework for Intelsat General to offer a range of vital tactical communications capacity to the U.S. military around the globe … Alliances of this nature are especially important as they offer bandwidth in expanded frequencies that complement the current Intelsat system,” said Intelsat General President Kay Sears, in a statement.

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