Airbus to study Syracuse IV ground segment

Airbus has received a contract from the French defence procurement agency to carry out preparatory studies and definition work for the future ground segment of the Syracuse IV satellite-based military telecommunications system, the company announced on 2 May.

The study - which will look at possible architectures and the new capacity required by the future system - will help prepare for the Syracuse IV ground segment construction phase in 2018.

The research will study the pervasiveness of Internet Protocol technology and the increase in the transmission-speed requirements of the armed forces. The study will include the sizing of the network, flow management and prioritisation and will also examine the capacity optimisation of the future Syracuse IV satellites through the use of new generation modems. Through-life support and integrated logistical support will also be addressed.

The Syracuse IV satellite communication programme includes the construction of two satellites that, by 2021- 2023, will replace the Syracuse 3A and Syracuse 3B satellites currently in orbit. It also includes the construction of the ground control segment, satellite configuration, and the construction of new Ka-band communication anchor stations and support.

The satellites will work in X and Ka bands to enhance communication capacity, flexibility and jamming resistance to meet the future needs of the armed forces.