[Satellite TODAY 10-05-11] L-3 Communications Systems-West issued ASC Signal Corp. a $3.8 million subcontract to build a dual-band antenna system supporting global data collection and dissemination for the U.S. Navy MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System (BAMS UAS) program, ASC Signal announced Oct. 2.

   ASC Signal said the advanced antenna terminals would be designed to meet the stringent Army Forces Strategic Command (ARSTRAT) standards required to operate with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) constellation.

   ASC Signal will provide L-3 Communications Systems-West with precision-tracking antenna systems that communicate with WGS satellites in both X- and Ka-band frequencies. The antenna systems aim to enable full operational capability by the BAMS UAS over large maritime distances for long periods of time.

   The antenna system employs ASC’s Sub-Reflector Tracking (SRT) to permit 6-axis tracking of satellites and is part of a contract Northrop Grumman awarded to L-3 Communications to develop the communications equipment required for the BAMS UAS program.

   “The U.S. Government, including the U.S. Department of Defense, is looking for advanced satellite technology that will ensure reliable communications over the lifetime of its programs. Through our provision of the ASC Signal antenna systems to L3 Communications and the BAMS team, the U.S. Department of Defense is gaining a proven, flexible commercial technology that can be used today with minimal enhancements or costs,” ASC Signal President and CEO Keith Buckley said in a statement.