Hughes Network Systems campus in Germantown, MD. Photo Credit: Hughes

Hughes Network Systems was selected as an awardee under the $3 billion U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Tactical Communications Equipment and Services II (TacCom II) contract vehicle. The follow-on to the TacCom contract, TacCom II now includes satellite technology and services from Hughes to enhance agency capabilities for emergency communications, rural and remote connectivity, and Communications-On-The-Move (COTM) systems.

Designed to enable mission critical information and situational awareness sharing, TacCom II is expected to foster inter-agency collaboration among DHS and nine participating agencies, including Departments of Agriculture, Interior, Justice, Health and Human Services, State, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, White House Communications Agency, and the U.S. Air Force. Across these agencies, satellite solutions from Hughes can extend network reach and interoperability, and support the various missions, such as disaster response, border security, and interstate or international law enforcement operations.

“Government missions and operations don’t always happen near communications infrastructure,” said Tony Bardo, assistant vice president of government solutions at Hughes. “Satellite services are critical, not only to connect the unconnected but also as a lifeline during and after disasters that disrupt terrestrial networks. We look forward to supporting DHS and other agencies under this new contract.”