Boeing FAB-T demos high-data-rate communications

Boeing today announced that it has successfully demonstrated high-data-rate transmissions between a Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T) system and a test terminal for the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite.

This was one in a series of development tests that are demonstrating extended data rate voice, text and data communication with a FAB-T unit. FAB-T will provide the US Air Force and US Navy with protected wideband satellite communications in support of command and control of US nuclear forces.

"With more than half of the system integration tests successfully completed, the FAB-T program is well on its way to starting system qualification testing in 2012," said Paul Geery, Boeing FAB-T vice president and program manager. "Boeing is committed to ensuring that the FAB-T program is successful and that we can deliver this advanced capability to the warfighter."

The demonstration, conducted in August at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems in Redondo Beach, Calif., involved a FAB-T unit and an AEHF Universal System Test Terminal (AUST-T) communicating through a ground AEHF payload. Using the latest program hardware, the terminal team successfully conducted extended data rate (XDR) re-key, XDR text communications, and dual FAB-T log-on with the AEHF payload. In separate testing essential to operating the fielded FAB-T system, Boeing also interfaced with the AEHF Satellite Mission Control Subsystem, demonstrating XDR capability with the AEHF ground satellite.

FAB-T's XDR capability will provide Air Force personnel with anti-jam, low probability of interception (LPI), low probability of detection (LPD), and improved data rates compared with earlier systems and software. The Boeing approach provides a low risk and high likelihood of success solution to meet all the warfighter's critical nuclear command and control requirements.

"These demonstrations are key progress indicators toward the start of functional qualification tests and increase warfighter confidence that FAB-T will support the required missions," Geery said.

Boeing is working to provide the Air Force with a fully capable, affordable system that supports the existing Milstar satellite constellation, its ground and airborne command-and-control terminals and the new AEHF satellite constellation. The program continues to make measurable progress against its planned baseline.

Source: Boeing