[Satellite TODAY 10-05-11] Boeing successfully demonstrated high-data-rate transmissions between a family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T) system and a test terminal for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite, the manufacturer announced Oct. 4.

   The demonstration was conducted in August at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems facilities in Redondo Beach, Calif. and involved a FAB-T unit and an AEHF Universal System Test Terminal (AUST-T) communicating through a ground AEHF payload. Boeing said its terminal team successfully conducted extended data rate (XDR) re-key, XDR text communications, and dual FAB-T log-on with the AEHF payload.

   In a separate testing session, Boeing interfaced with the AEHF Satellite Mission Control Subsystem, demonstrating XDR capability with the AEHF ground satellite.

   The FAB-T system aims to provide the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy with protected wideband satellite communications in support of command and control of U.S. nuclear forces.

“With more than half of the system integration tests successfully completed, the FAB-T program is well on its way to starting system qualification testing in 2012,” Boeing FAB-T Vice President and Program Manager Paul Geery said in a statement.