[Satellite TODAY 02-07-13] Commercial X-band operator XTAR has announced it is planning to expand its reach into international markets beyond Western Europe. The company has retained Mercury Swift Solutions as an Authorized XTAR Representative in the United Kingdom to help expand its business by serving allied military forces, specifically in Africa and Asia where the company sees the fastest growing demand.

   “U.S. and Allied missions are beginning to shift focus beyond Iraq and Afghanistan and XTAR is adjusting its strategy accordingly,” said Andrew Ruszkowski, XTAR’s vice president of global sales and marketing. “We have retained Mercury Swift Solutions to be XTAR’s ‘boots on the ground’ internationally, and to identify opportunities where XTAR and commercial X-band make sense.”

   The move to expand its international focus comes as XTAR continues to strengthen its U.S. government business. Also, the company has invested in its technical capabilities to better integrate with the newer technologies used in applications such as airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.