RMPM-1000 NCW modem completes WGS testing

L-3 Linkabit has announced that has successfully tested its RMPM-1000 modem in a multi-band, multi-beam Over-The-Air (OTA) configuration using the WGS-3 satellite. It is the first OTA multi-band, multi-beam Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) test using the Network Centric Waveform (NCW), and - according to the company - is also thought to be the first test of its kind in a fully networked WGS environment.

The NCW is currently in use with the US Army’s WIN-T programme and the US Marine Corps’ (USMC’s) Network On-The-Move (NOTM) system. As part of an ongoing risk reduction trial, the RMPM-1000 established network connectivity between a large-aperture X-Band terminal operating as a hub and two mobile small-aperture Ka-Band SATCOM On-The-Move (SOTM) terminals. In addition, as part of its network connectivity testing, the two  SOTM terminals were able to connect using an assist from the X-Band hub, thereby successfully demonstrating integrated star/mesh hybrid network operations in a heterogeneous terminal environment.

Elissa Seidenglanz, senior vice president of operations at L-3 Linkabit, commented on the test, saying: ‘We are pleased that our NCW solution and the RMPM-1000 modem performed exactly as designed. The MPM-1000 modem was developed and optimised for use over WGS, as well as any transponded satellite system requiring megabit IP services not previously available.’

L-3 Linkabit developed the MPM-1000 modem product family, which, when combined with an antenna and tracking system, provides an off-the-shelf SOTM solution for both military and commercial applications. The company’s turnkey SATCOM On-The-Move (SOTM) solutions enable mobile and halted forces to collaborate, access Global Information Grid (GIG) resources, and exchange voice, data and video in a tactical environment.