GA-ASI selects Hughes for Predator B RPA
Hughes Network Systems has been selected to work on the satellite communications system for the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) Type Certifiable Predator B UAS, the company announced on 6 March.
The Type Certifiable Predator B – or SkyGuardian as it is now known by GA-ASI - forms the basis for the UK Ministry of Defence's Protector programme.
Hughes will work with GA-ASI to upgrade the UAS' satellite communications system with customised airborne Hughes HM series modems.
The new modems, which use an enhanced waveform that ensures resilient and secure communications when operating in challenging environments, will enable a significant increase in data transfer rates to and from the UAS.
Rick Lober, vice president and general manager of Hughes Defense and Intelligence and Systems Division, said: 'We are proud to have been selected for the SkyGuardian platform and its enhanced SATCOM capability.
'With the development and supply of our customised HM series modem, aircraft operators and mission personnel will experience the benefits of protected SATCOM which includes the flexibility to employ the most appropriate frequencies for beyond-line-of-sight communication.'
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