SES unveils new Rapid Response Vehicle

SES has introduced a new Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV), enabled with satellite communications (SATCOM) to provide high-speed connectivity and global communications services for humanitarian and defence missions.

The RRV is capable of providing collaborative communications technologies over multiple orbits and frequencies, including Ku-, Ka- and military X-bands via SES' Geostationary Orbit and Medium Earth Orbit constellations. The vehicle supports connectivity for applications including high-definition video conferencing, streaming, voice, GSM backhaul, high-speed broadband and large data file transfers in locations where infrastructure is non-existent or has been destroyed.

The plug-and-play modular vehicle can integrate and deploy a broad range of communication technologies and devices in order to support missions including border security, defence, peacekeeping, support for humanitarian operations and response to natural disasters, as well as commercial applications.

An example configuration of the vehicle is SES's Tactical Persistent Surveillance ISR solution, based on aerostat technology hosting advanced electro-optical sensor and communications payloads. This solution is designed to provide situational awareness for border and operations security, event monitoring and disaster response initiatives. Other activities enabled by the RRV are 'respond and recover' to provide disaster relief support, emergency wireless internet access for communities, reinforcing downed public infrastructure, IP backhaul for mobile networks and enabling long-term connectivity for agencies on the ground.

The RRV is equipped with wireless capabilities, including multiple-input multiple-output software-defined radio technology that provides an expansive mesh type, frequency programmable, mobile communications platform that supports private 3G and 4G long term evolution networks and government push to talk frequencies.