Xtar Eur coverage map. Photo: Xtar

[Via Satellite 12-17-13] Xtar has been awarded a $5.6 million contract renewal from L-3 Communication Systems-West to provide X-band satellite connectivity to the U.S. Army for manned Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (AISR) mission support.

“Even as the U.S. military proceeds to withdraw from areas of major conflict, the appetite for satellite bandwidth is on the increase,” said Philip Harlow, president and COO, Xtar. “Space segment users who facilitate AISR missions represent one of Xtar’s fastest growing customer bases.”

Under the terms of the contract, which became effective Nov. 1, 2013, Xtar will deliver space segment capacity on multiple Xtar-EUR beams, including the Middle East and global beams. The capacity will support connectivity to Army-operated King Air 350 and Dash 8 aircraft.

The contracted satellite capacity has increased from the previous amount to satisfy growing requirements, which include achieving higher data rates and supporting additional aircraft. The Xtar EUR satellite, at 29 degrees east longitude, provides commercial X-band coverage from Eastern Brazil across the Atlantic Ocean to as far east as Singapore. The flexible payload is delivered through its two global, one fixed, and four steerable spot beams, which can be relocated anywhere within the satellite’s coverage area.