Airbus delivers Comcept satellite network to France
Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the Comcept satellite network to the French defense procurement agency, it announced on 28 April.
The French Ministry of Defence will use Comcept to complement the Syracuse satellite system with high-speed, all-IP data transmission capabilities through the Ka frequency band.
The delivery of the Comcept system marks the start of the in-service support phase, which is expected to last for 15 years. The Comcept system contract, which will run for 17 years, was awarded to Airbus Defence and Space and Actia Telecom in 2012.
The Comcept network includes two redundant mission centers, two docking stations and fixed and deployable terminals. A total of 20 high data rate stations in mobile shelters with 2.4m antennas providing bandwidth up to 10 Mbit/s have been delivered by Airbus Defence and Space and Actia Telecom.
In 2015, the two companies will deliver 250 metropolitan theatre terminal stations with 1m antennas in fixed or mobile containers and 50 small-size terminal stations with 0.7m antennas that can be transported in suitcases.
The ground segment of the network is used to operate the Franco-Italian Athena-Fidus satellite. The system will also be compatible with future commercial satellites operating in the Ka-band frequency to supplement Athena-Fidus’ capabilities.
Under the contract, the companies can earn orders for additional fixed and deployable ground stations for use in France and other theatres of operations.
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