Hughes JUPITER 1 satellite, built by SSL. Photo: SSL

The National Weather Service (NWS) has selected ERT and subcontractor Hughes Network Systems to upgrade and expand managed satellite and wireless services at NWS locations in the contiguous United States, Hawaii, Alaska, and Pacific Region. ERT is a science and technology contractor for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 

ERT and Hughes plan to provide the NWS with the network services to gather and report local weather tracking and forecasting data using capacity on the Hughes Jupiter 1 and Jupiter 2 High-Throughput Satellites (HTS). Hughes plans to provide 4G LTE wireless backup at certain locations for increased availability. The team will also install Hughes HR4860 Secure SD-WAN Gateways at the locations and provide a network performance data and analytics platform. 

“This expansion of our longstanding partnership with ERT in support of the National Weather Service is a testament to the essential power of connectivity to impact lives every day,” Tony Bardo, Hughes assistant vice president of Government Solutions said. “The work of the NWS ensures the preparedness of people nationwide, and we are proud to deliver the network they need to carry out their mission with speed, flexibility, and reliability.”