Naval SatCom

SatCom solutions for naval operations

Defence
Naval

Thales’s naval satellite communications solutions – DiveSAT for submarines, SurfSAT for surface ships and Modem 21 for security and resiliency – address all types of needs and platforms to guarantee secure, high-speed communications anywhere, anytime.

Easy integration on board

SurfSAT-S (1m) provides MILSATCOM capabilities to the smallest ships including minehunters, fast patrol boats and interceptors. SurfSAT-M (1.5m), SurfSAT-L (2m) and SurfSAT-XL (2.6m) are designed for medium to large ships such as corvettes, amphibious ships, frigates and aircraft carriers.

DiveSAT, thanks to its compact size, can be installed directly on the submarine's retractable mast.
Enhanced connectivity

DiveSAT and SurfSAT are compatible with a wide range of satellite resources including military satellites operating in X-band or military Ka- band and civil satellites in commercial Ka-band. Initially designed for military and commercial GEO constellations, SurfSAT terminals are now compatible with MEO and HEO constellations for near-global coverage, ensuring seamless tracking for naval units.
3-axis stabilised antenna

The 3-axis stabilised antenna for DiveSAT and SurfSAT is a patented innovation mounted on a pedestal to guarantee seamless worldwide operation even in rough sea conditions or when a low elevation satellite is used. SurfSAT-L/M pushes this architecture even further and relies on patented pantographic X-Y gimbals technology to support cost-effective dual-band configurations.
Compatible with any modem

Thanks to a standard interface, DiveSAT and SurfSAT terminals are modem-agnostic. They can be delivered with a commercial modem and/or with Thales’s Modem 21, which offers very high spectral efficiency and anti-jamming capabilities. In addition, System 21 facilitates the integration of submarine platforms into wider naval forces communication networks.

Robust connectivity for submarines and surface ships

Thales's Naval SatCom offering is built around three main solutions: DiveSAT, SurfSAT and the highly secure Modem 21. DiveSAT is the terminal for submarines, offering wideband connectivity, full-duplex communications and maximum discretion. The SurfSAT family of SatCom terminals includes solutions for all types of ships and provides secure communication and high data rates. Both DiveSAT and SurfSAT are engineered to perform under the most extreme conditions.

Satellite communications are the backbone of operational superiority at sea. They enable navies to maintain seamless contact with homeland HQ and ensure real-time transmission of large volumes of data – no matter the distance, environmental conditions or threat level.

Thales’s solutions for naval satellite communications

In service with half a dozen navies for close to 30 years, DiveSAT offers unparalleled performance and protection, especially when it comes to active discretion during communication signal emissions. Thanks to its compact size, DiveSAT can be installed on top of the submarine’s retractable mast, and is housed in a pressure-resistant radome for operations in the deepest waters. DiveSAT is available with a choice of antenna sizes: the terminal delivers four times higher performance with the larger 75 cm version than with the compact 40 cm version.

Proven in operations with a dozen navies around the world, the SurfSAT family is designed to meet multi-orbit, multi-frequency and multi-constellation requirements.

The terminals are compatible with GEO, MEO and HEO constellations for near-global coverage, and are available in X- and/or Ka-band configurations. Each medium-to-large ship uses two antennas, automatically managing signal obstructions to maintain uninterrupted service.

With these robust and flexible terminals, ships stay connected at all times, even in the most demanding conditions.

Modem 21 Core is part of Thales’s System 21, the most secure high-throughput and protected-waveform military satcom system on the market today. By combining cutting-edge encryption, jamming resistance and adaptive satellite resource management, this secure IP modem for naval operations transforms connectivity into a tactical advantage. Built for durability and reliability, it provides secure, efficient connectivity to support informed decisions at lightning speed.