Photo: Comtech

The U.S. Navy awarded Comtech Telecommunications a contract valued at more than $50 million for SLM-5650B satellite communications modems, the company announced Nov. 14. 

John Ratigan, president and CEO of Comtech, said this award is a new contracting vehicle to “significantly expand” the number of Comtech satcom modems delivered over the next four years. 

The contract awarded by the U.S. Navy Information Warfare Systems Command includes modems, upgrade kits, firmware options, and technical support. The contract has a four-year period of performance. Comtech has received approximately $2 million in funded orders to date. 

The SLM-5650B modem is U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (USARSTRAT) Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) certified. Common applications include communications at-the-pause, communications on-the-move, rugged environments, and secure networks. 

“As data rate demands in the U.S. Navy Fleet increase, and satellite technologies evolve to provide enhanced capabilities, Comtech’s U.S. sovereign SLM-5650B modems are uniquely designed to meet the needs of the Navy today, as well as the joint force operations of tomorrow,” Ratigan commented.