Astrium Services’ Secure Satcom Systems division was contracted by Paradigm to design and build the three Skynet 5 satellites, undertake a major upgrade to the ground infrastructure and to supply a comprehensive range of naval and land tactical terminals. Paradigm, part of Astrium Services, as owner and operator of the Skynet 5 system, is responsible for delivering secure communications services as part of a service provision contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) until 2020.
All three Skynet 5 satellites have been launched and are fully operational. Secure Satcom Systems is the co-prime for the Yahsat satellite system, one of the most significant end-to-end government and commercial satcom programmes. The customer, Yahsat, will provide services for government and commercial customers in the United Arab Emirates, throughout the Middle East, and beyond.
As a world leading supplier of SHF communications terminals, Secure Satcom Systems offers a range of fixed, transportable and tactical military satellite communications terminals, as well as a range of modem technologies.
The Secure Satcom Systems family of shipborne communications terminals (SCOT and MRNR) is renowned for providing the highest communications availability in the most extreme weather and sea conditions; versions are available for multiple frequency bands (X, Ku, Ka, C) and for ships ranging in size from patrol craft to aircraft carriers. SCOT naval wideband satcom terminals are fitted in over 200 ships and in use with 10 major navies worldwide. Valued customers include: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, USA and the UK.
The Secure Satcom Systems range of manportable tactical satcom terminals is ruggedised, lightweight and capable of being carried and operated by a single person. They are ideally suited to provide secure global communications for military or government personnel operating in remote or hostile environments.
The Secure Satcom Systems land tactical terminals provide military and paramilitary forces with a multi-role communications capability. The terminals have been designed to operate in the demanding environment found during UN and NATO operations, ranging from humanitarian missions to deployment on the battlefield. The terminals can be easily deployed by two operators providing multiple voice and data circuits in the tactical environment. The terminal can be transported in normal or cross country vehicles and by commercial or military aircraft.
The Secure Satcom Systems Airborne SHF satcom terminal provides reliable, secure, Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communications anywhere and at any time. The Secure Satcom Systems Airborne SHF satcom system gives military aircraft the means to deliver their full potential in today’s fast moving ‘network-centric’ operations.
The complete range of terminals is supported by a suite of network management tools which together enable the satellite communications network to realise its maximum potential in the face of changing operational requirements, priorities and external influences.
Additionally Secure Satcom Systems offers:
• Satellite access planning • Equipment control and monitoring • Communications system monitoring • Effective response to stress (jamming, interference) • Quality of service monitoring • Simulation and training
Secure Satcom Systems provides a world class post delivery support capability from the supply of spares and repairs, through to the provision of field service teams which can be deployed anywhere in the world, to fully managed ILS packages.
