Harris reflectors deploy on MUOS-4
The unfurlable mesh antenna reflectors on-board the fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite have successfully deployed, Harris Corporation announced on 4 November.
The reflectors, developed by Harris, are a key technology for the five-satellite MUOS constellation. Harris has built ten reflectors for the constellation, with two carried on each satellite: one 14m diameter unit for multiple-beam operation that significantly increases the number of users and traffic the system can support, and one 5.4m diameter unit for legacy operations. The gold mesh reflectors are secured to the satellite by Harris precision booms.
MUOS will vastly improve secure satellite communications for mobile forces. It will provide users an on-demand, beyond-line-of-sight capability to simultaneously transmit and receive high-quality, prioritised voice and mission data, on a high-speed IP-based network.
With this fourth satellite, MUOS will provide near-global coverage at 16 times the capacity while continuing to support the legacy UFO system.
Bill Gattle, president, Harris Space and Intelligence Systems, said: ‘This successful on-orbit deployment validates the unique design and flexibility of our mesh reflectors. We remain committed to meeting the needs of the MUOS programme, which will ensure that our warfighters have the most advanced communications technology.’
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool]()
Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool
Nomad can provide militaries with real-time intelligence, saving critical time on the battlefield.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
