[Satellite TODAY 09-01-11] Gilat Satellite Networks has been contracted by an unnamed customer in Latin America to provide a multi-million dollar SkyEdge 2 VSAT broadband network and services for security communications, Gilat announced Aug. 31.

   Gilat said the customer would use the network to provide video surveillance and command and control applications to secure various national assets in remote and difficult to reach locations. The VSATs will provide backhaul to fixed, quick deploy and mobile sensors for applications such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The network will operate in a multi-star configuration based on a hub in a central location and NetEdge gateways in various geographically distributed sites.

   Gilat will deliver the hub, NetEdge gateways, VSATs, various antennas and services by the end of 2011.

   “With better efficiencies and full adaptive capabilities for both the inbound and outbound channels, the SkyEdge 2 provides higher performance that serves the growing requirements of end-users,” Gilat said in a company statement.