Thales and Inmarsat successfully conclude tests demonstrating resilient communications using System 21 modem over Global Xpress high-capacity steerable antennas
In May 2017, Inmarsat, the world’s leading provider of global mobile satellite communications, and Thales, the leading supplier of ground secure satellite communication solutions, executed a series of tests that successfully demonstrated communications using Thales’ System 21 on Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) high-capacity steerable antennas. These tests illustrate the ability of Thales’s System 21 modem to support resilient, protected and secure, high-data-rate connectivity for mission-critical military and government users.
Thales is a world leader in providing armed forces and security services with ground technology for secure satellite communications (SATCOM). Inmarsat provides global SATCOM solutions utilised extensively by military and civil government users around the world. This combined heritage in serving global government users assures that the capability can be rolled out quickly, with very low technical risk, and the flexibility to meet operational needs.
The tests demonstrated excellent performance of the Thales’ System 21 satcom ground network solution, featuring special military modes to enhance resilience and protection utilising the Inmarsat-5 high-capacity steerable beam assigned to the tests. Data rates over 34Mbps were delivered between a 1.5m maritime (SURFSAT-L) and 0.75m airborne (LISA) terminals. This configuration is representative of a typical deployed mobile task force.
The conclusive test campaign was completed in a very short space of time. The conformity to international military standards ensured that the Thales network and Inmarsat’s satellite service were able to interoperate without any modifications, despite neither system having been designed to support the other.
“Highly protected and resilient satellite connectivity is key for armed forces and governments today said Jean-Claude Schmitt, Vice President in charge of Thales’s network and infrastructure systems business. “The combination of Thales and Inmarsat solutions is an effective response to the growing number and severity of attacks on satellite communications.”
Peter Dingley, Vice President, Future Government Technologies, Inmarsat Global Government, said: “Security and resilience are critically important to the government sector and Inmarsat is encouraged by the recent test results achieved with Thales’ System 21 across our Inmarsat-5 satellite. For two independent solutions to achieve such interoperability and positive results in such a short period of time is testament to the innovative excellence of both Thales and Inmarsat. We look forward to including this solution in our suite of government services.”
A press briefing is organised on Wednesday, 21st June from 9:30 to 10:00 on the Thales pavilion (B1) at the Paris Air Show
Thales leads the field in Military Satcom transmission solutions thanks to the System 21, the standardised solution that complies with the latest NATO Electronic Protective Measures (EPM) standards and offers unmatched performance in terms of discretion and protection. System 21 meets the need for high availability in critical environments and in all Defence and Government applications. It is designed to support even the toughest conditions encountered by deployed forces across air, land and sea with no trade-off in performance. System 21 is already in widespread internationally.
Inmarsat Global Xpress is a high-speed, broadband satellite network from the trusted leader in mission-critical communications. Global Xpress offers a choice of flexible on-demand connectivity or steerable high-capacity leases, both capable of delivering a wide range of bandwidth-intensive mobile applications. It is the first commercial global Ka-band network and has been built specifically with government customers in mind, delivering secure, end-to-end wideband connectivity for seamless airborne, naval and land operations worldwide. Inmarsat has successfully launched 4 Global Xpress satellites and it is fully operational delivering services to many users globally.