Insight | Ka-band – the future of total connectivity for the AISR community
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As global intelligence operations are conducted in the air more than ever, government agencies are re-evaluating their future data and communications technology needs to support these efforts.
It makes sense. From smaller tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to bigger ones which cross large bodies of oceans for days at a time – in addition to manned aircraft of all sizes – the rapidly changing global security environment is driving the Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (AISR) community to deploy as many sensors as possible to maximize the effectiveness and reach of their intelligence gathering.
Clearly, this presents immense challenges with regard to bandwidth availability.
The once-ubiquitous air-to-ground links typically won’t work for AISR once ground forces have left the area. An aircraft can sustain a connection, after all, only as long as it maintains a line of sight with the link. If it flies beyond a hill, the connection is broken.
That’s where satellite communications enter the picture – with Ka-band high-throughput satellites (HTS) emerging as the government’s top choice for future mission planning (as evidenced in recent NSR’s Government and Military Satellite Communications, 11th Edition report).
System designers prefer Ka-band HTS over older Ku-band links based on several mission-impacting criteria:
At Inmarsat, we’ve worked hard to build on the experience of over 35 years as the world’s leading supplier of mobile satcom. The results can be seen in the benefits we bring to government customers through Global Xpress, the first-ever worldwide Ka-band end-to-end mobile commercial satellite system, from a single operator.
Gobal Xpress is now powering critical AISR missions in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, with global coverage expected in the second half of 2015. When combined with the unique high-speed/small terminal attributes of our current Inmarsat-4 (I-4) and Alphasat satellite systems, Inmarsat’s already committed investment in this satellite capability means AISR users finally have access to consistent, high-speed and robust global data links to almost any platform whether on land, at sea or in the air.
Peter Hadinger leads Inmarsat’s business unit responsible for all U.S. Government sales and programs. He has recently been responsible for developing the government-focused capabilities and services of Inmarsat’s new Global Xpress program. Previously he spent 30 years as a leader in technology development, engineering and government spacecraft programs at Northrop Grumman. He holds multiple patents in advanced communications.
Peter’s diverse regulatory and policy background includes leadership roles in the WTO Telecom Services Agreement, the FCC World Radio Conference Advisory Committee, the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee and a fellowship in the U.S. Senate.
Peter received his BSEEE from California State Polytechnic University, an MBA with emphasis in finance and strategic planning from George Mason University, and serves on engineering advisory boards at Virginia Tech.