Airbus enhances Belgian communications with satellite technology
Airbus will be able to offer a new UHF communications service, scheduled for launch in 2024, to the armed forces, particularly those of European countries and NATO allies. (Photo: Airbus)
The Belgian Ministry of Defence has contracted Airbus to provide satellite communications services for 15 years.
The Belgian Armed Forces have signed a contract to access the ultra-high frequency (UHF) military communications hosted payload onboard an Airbus commercial telecommunications satellite.
Airbus’ UHF frequency band will compensate for the relative scarcity in supply around the world. The company has signed several firm orders ahead of the satellite’s scheduled launch in 2024.
The UHF payload will be operated from Airbus’s Network Operations Centre in Toulouse, enabling up to 200 simultaneous communications over much of the globe.
Military UHF satcoms have a high level of interoperability, so are useful for multinational and coalition operations.
The UHF band is very flexible and offers a lightweight, robust and highly secure means of communication.
According to the company, Airbus is the only armed forces private satcom operator to cover the full spectrum of military (UHF, X, Ka Mil) and commercial (L, C/Ku, Ka) frequency bands.
More from Defence Notes
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
-
![UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions]()
UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
-
![Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details]()
Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was designed to answer two questions: What is needed to fix UK defence and make it fit for the 2040s, and what do you get for a fixed financial profile? The SDR outlines that work still needs to be done on specifics.
