DB - Digital Battlespace
AEHF-5 in transfer orbit
The Lockheed Martin-built Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-5) protected communication satellite is in transfer orbit after its launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 8 August.
The satellite separated from its United Launch Alliance Atlas V 551 rocket approximately 5.5 hours after its launch and transferred into the control of the US Air Force's 4th Space Operations Squadron at Schriever Air Force Base.
AEHF-5 complete a geostationary ring of five satellites delivering global coverage for survivable, highly secure and protected communications for strategic command and tactical military forces operating on ground, sea and air platforms. In addition to the US military, AEHF also serves international partners including Canada and the UK.
AEHF-5, with its advanced Extended Data Rate waveform technology, adds to the constellation's high-bandwidth network. One AEHF satellite provides greater total capacity than the entire legacy five-satellite Milstar communications constellation.
Mike Cacheiro, vice president for Protected Communications at Lockheed Martin Space, said: ‘This fifth satellite adds an additional layer of flexibility for critical strategic and tactical protected communications serving the warfighter. This added resilience to the existing constellation will help ensure warfighters can connect globally to communicate and transmit data at all times.
‘In the weeks ahead, AEHF-5 will move towards its operational orbit, deploy all of its solar arrays and antennas, and turn on its powerful communications payload for a rigorous testing phase prior to hand over to the air force.’
More from Digital Battlespace
-
ADEX 2019: BIRD Aerosystems presents RCD
BIRD Aerosystems has developed a Radar Control and Display (RCD) for Hensoldt's PrecISR multi-mode radar family.The company will present the RCD along with its Mission ...
-
First NGJ-MB fitted ahead of testing
The first Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) engineering development model pod has been fit checked on an EA-18G Growler for the US Navy. Delivered to ...
-
AUSA 2019: Commtact looks to international market with new product line
With the launch of Commtact’s HiveComm datalink family at AUSA 2019 the Israel-based company is continuing expansion of its datalink solutions to the international market. ...
-
ADEX 2019: Raytheon-led team offers ISTAR aircraft to ROKAF
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) has a requirement for up to four intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) aircraft, and one contender ...
-
Singapore employs more AI in air force command post
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is employing locally developed AI technology in its command post during Exercise Forging Sabre in Idaho, US. Used ...
-
Netherlands, Germany sign MoU on radio signals equipment
The governments of the Netherlands and Germany have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of systems for the detection of ...