Vislink unveils new battlefield communications satellite terminal

Vislink International has unveiled a new lightweight satellite data terminal, designed for one man operation in challenging operational environments. Called the Mantis MSAT, the 12.5kg (27.5 lbs) terminal can be deployed from a single lightweight backpack.

Vislink developed the military specification MSAT to ‘address demand from forces around the world that require a highly portable solution capable of delivering high bandwidth voice and data communications’. Providing up to 5Mbps upstream data throughput, MSAT can be used to deliver high definition video intelligence in addition to standard voice and data requirements. Even in the most hostile operating environments, the terminal can be unpacked and operational within five minutes.

MSAT meets the MIL 810F & DEF-STAN military specifications for shock, vibration, sand and rain and is provided as a ‘one box’ solution incorporating antenna, modem and all electronics. A high performance parabolic antenna is coupled, according to customer requirements, with interchangeable modem & encoder options. The terminal is available to operate in X, Ka and Ku bands.

Stephen Rudd, chief executive of Vislink International, said: ‘MSAT meets the exacting, high-bandwidth, connectivity requirements now demanded by forces around the world to address an increasingly difficult operating environment. It is an extremely complex sector but we have not only met the core need - we have created a rugged, highly reliable and lightweight package that can be deployed anywhere in the world. At only 27.5 lbs (12.5kg) it is the lightest satellite data terminal on the market and compliments a range of manned and unmanned solutions Vislink already provides for land, sea and air based communications and surveillance.’

According to the company, initial military orders are now being filled and MSAT terminals are currently undergoing field trials for battlefield, command centre and special operations implementations.