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.'
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet]()
US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
-
![Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems]()
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
![Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences]()
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
![Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way]()
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
![AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems]()
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
