MUOS-4 set for launch
Lockheed Martin’s fourth Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite for the US Navy, MUOS-4, has been encapsulated in its launch vehicle ahead of its launch date of 31 August.
The MUOS-4 is the latest addition to the network of orbiting satellites and relay ground stations that enables secure communications for mobile military forces. The MUOS terminals operate beyond line-of-sight around the globe and connect users to the Global Information Grid. MUOS transmits voice, video and mission data over a high-speed Internet Protocol-based system.
MUOS supports the legacy Ultra-High Frequency communications satellite system while providing 16 times better capacity, and will replace it gradually.
The MUOS-1 satellite was launched in 2012, MUOS-2 satellite in 2013 and MUOS-3 in January 2015. All four necessary MUOS ground stations are complete. The MUOS-5 is anticipated to be launched in 2016. It is an on-orbit Wideband Code Division Multiple Access spare satellite with additional legacy system capability.
Iris Bombelyn, vice president, narrowband communications, Lockheed Martin, said: ‘Delivery of this fourth satellite for the US Navy completes the initial MUOS constellation and provides near-global coverage for the network.
‘For our mobile forces, that means for the first time they will be able to have secure, high-fidelity voice conversations, networked team calls and data exchange, including video, with anyone around the world connected with a MUOS terminal.’
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