First MUOS satellite delivered to US Navy

The first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite has been delivered by Lockheed Martin to the US Navy (USN) ahead of a 16 February 2012 launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. The MUOS satellite is a next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system that will provide significantly improved and assured communications for the mobile warfighter.

The MUOS system will augment and replace the legacy Ultra High Frequency Follow-On system, providing military users with 16 times the communications capacity of existing satellites, including simultaneous voice, video and data capability enhancements.

According to Lockheed Martin, MUOS consists of four geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites with an additional on-orbit spare, and a fibre optic terrestrial network connecting four ground stations around the globe.  Each satellite will feature two payloads that enable the system to integrate with the existing architecture while upgrading military users to the new wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system. Utilising the latest commercial advances in 3G cell phone and satellite technology, MUOS will provide mobile warfighters point-to-point and netted communications services at enhanced data rates and priority-based access to on-demand voice, video and data transfers.

The MUOS satellite will now undergo post shipment testing, fuelling, payload fairing encapsulation, and mate atop the Atlas V launch vehicle in preparation for launch.