Airbus DS awarded German satcom contract
Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) has been awarded a $126.78 million contract by the German armed forces to provide commercial satellite communication services until 2023, it announced on 31 May.
The contract extends the services that Airbus DS has been providing since 2006. This includes access to selected Ku-band and C-band transponders for various applications in Germany, including data and voice connections between main bases outside the country and naval vessels.
Also, Airbus DS was awarded the in-orbit operations of the COMSATBw1 and COMSATBw 2 military satellites and the operation of a teleport in Weilheim, Germany and associated networks.
The commercial satellite communication services and operation of military satellites will enable German armed forces to established video, voice and database access as well as Internet Protocol services without relying on single assets.
Airbus DS developed and deployed the current SATCOMBw system in use by the German armed forces.
Evert Dudok, head of the communications, intelligence & security (CIS), Airbus Defence and Space, said: 'Satellite communications is an indispensable means for modern armed forces to connect theatres of operation with the homeland and to accomplish missions abroad.
'For this task a resource mix based on military satellites complemented by leased commercial capacities has proven to give the best flexibility, resilience and value.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend]()
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
![Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)]()
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
-
![US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts]()
US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites are intended to provide early warning of missile launches from any location worldwide and new ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning.
-
![Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces]()
Airbus launches final CSO observation satellite for French Armed Forces
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
-
![Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)]()
Intelligence advantage: How real-time GEOINT is reshaping military decision-making (Studio)
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
