General Dynamics gains license for vehicle-based SATCOM

General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies has received a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enabling continuous access to private- and government-owned communication satellites while on-the-move in vehicles. The license applies to four models of satellite communications ground-station equipment made by General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies. Previously, users of General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies' Vehicle Mounted Earth Stations (VMES) or terminals could have their transmissions deferred to accommodate higher priority users. The new license gives vehicle-based satellite communications (SATCOM) the same priority as fixed-site and maritime SATCOM users.

"Before the FCC license was approved, the only way to stay connected to a satellite while moving in a vehicle was to use a handheld pay-by-the-minute SATCOM phone," said Tim Shroyer, Chief Technology officer for General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies. "Now, our Vehicle Mounted Earth Stations have reliable, 'always on' satellite communications capability while driving."

In use by the government, military, first responders, news organizations and others, General Dynamics SATCOM terminals operate on the Fixed Satellite Services (FSS) Ku-band and support high-bandwidth communications on all communications satellites serving the United States.

Source: General Dynamics