Computer-generated image of the Leidos Special Mission Aircraft. (Photo: Leidos)
The Leidos Special Mission Aircraft (LMSA) on offer to the US Army for airborne ELINT will be equipped with the ThinAir Ka2517 phased-array antenna from ThinKom Solutions.
ThinKom stated on 15 November that the low-profile Ka-band aero satellite antenna system, which is being integrated with a US military-compliant modem, ‘provides real-time, reliable and resilient broadband transmission to and from the aircraft in flight’.
Matthew Pfrommer, VP of airborne solutions at Leidos, described the satellite antenna as ‘an important enabling technology’ for the LSMA platform.
The agile antenna — based on VICTS phased-array technology from ThinKom — can also interoperate ‘seamlessly’ with satellites in geostationary and non-geostationary orbits for worldwide connectivity, ThinKom added.
The low-profile radome minimises in-flight drag, resulting in lower fuel consumption and longer time on station without refuelling.
Leidos designed and developed a demonstrator LSMA based on a COTS Bombardier Challenger 650 airframe, modified to carry an extensive electronic sensing suite to deliver long-range precision surveillance outside the range of hostile air defence systems.
LSMA is being offered to the US Army under a company-owned and company-operated model, with full maintenance from Leidos.
The company eyes a first test flight in early 2022 with the ThinKom phased array.
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites are intended to provide early warning of missile launches from any location worldwide and new ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning.
Airbus was awarded the Composante Spatiale Optique (CSO) contract at the end of 2010. This included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015.
In today’s contested operational environment, adaptability is key. The new Geospatial-Intelligence as a Service (GEO IaaS) solution from Fujitsu and MAIAR empowers militaries by enabling intelligence advantage, combining advanced technology with human expertise to deliver actionable insights.
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