[Satellite TODAY 08-17-10] Intelsat has began construction of the Intelsat 27 (IS-27) satellite that will include a UHF hosted payload for government applications, the company announced Aug. 16.
     The satellite slated for launch in December 2012, will carry a hybrid C- and Ku-band design for media and network customers. The UHF hosted payload will provide capability to complement the existing UHF Follow-On and future Multi-User Objective System (MUOS) satellites.
     “Our intended customers for this payload are the Navy and [Department of Defense] tactical users, as well as NATO and other allies,” Kay Sears, president of Intelsat General Corporation, said in a statement.
     IS-27 will replace Intelsat 805 in the Atlantic Ocean Region.