Photo: General Dynamics Mission Systems

The U.S. Navy has announced the winner of its $731.8 million sole-source contract award for the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) ground system. General Dynamics Mission Systems will provide new integrated ground segments for MUOS at the company’s Scottsdale, Arizona facility and complete the work by November 2029.

MUOS is designed to provide secure cell phone-like communications for warfighters on the move.  “MUOS will provide our warfighters with the ability to communicate securely, anywhere, anytime, with voice clarity and data transmission speed similar to using a civilian cellphone,” Manny Mora, vice president and general manager for the Space and Intelligence Systems line of business at General Dynamics Mission Systems, said in a statement. “This capability delivers a whole new level of connectivity for troops in the field.”

MUOS was recently deemed operationally effective, operationally survivable, and cyber survivable by the U.S. Navy Commander’s Operational Test and Evaluation Force following successful completion of its Multiservice Operational Test and Evaluation (MOT&E). The MOT&E also included participation from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Marine Corps.