Airbus DS awarded COMSATBw contract
Airbus Defence and Space has received a $160 million contract from the German armed forces procurement agency for the continued operation of the SATCOMBw satellite communications system, the company announced on 9 March.
The contract includes in-orbit operation of the military COMSATBw-1 and COMSATBw-2 satellites and the operation of the teleport and associated networks in Weilheim, Germany, until 2022. The company has been operating the SATCOMBw system since 2006.
The satellites provide the German armed forces with military UHF and X-band as well as additional capacity in C and Ku-band across the Americas to Eastern Asia.
The SATCOMBw programme also includes a secure ground communications network and control system. Ships, aircraft, vehicles and command centres deployed around the world are linked directly into the base communications network for IP, database access, video and voice services.
Airbus Defence and Space takes care of the overall SATCOMBw system design and integration and is responsible for the delivery of a fully operational capability. It has delivered over 500 ground terminals, including maritime terminals.
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