Mil-Tech » Military Satellite

New Satellite Internet Services in Afghanistan

admin — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:39:23 +0000

TS2 Satellite Technologies company is introducing new broadband satellite services to the Afghan market. The broadband service offer two-way high-speed Internet access with no phone lines, no cable, no dial-up modem. It’s always online, available virtually anywhere, and affordable. The offered satellite system is ideally suited for broadband requirements such as Internet and VPN access to enterprise networks, as well as real-time VoIP and video conferencing.

The Internet connection can be shared with other users via wireless or wired network. Most soldiers deploy with a laptop in hand and a hookup to the Internet in their barracks. This is especially important for the many who are married, and have young children. The Internet access has resulted in major morale improvements. Troops no longer feel cut off from home.

Not all the Internet connectivity is just for staying in touch with the folks back home. The troops in Afghanistan use the Internet a lot for professional tasks, and not all of them are official business. Some troops blog, and many other stay in touch with military friends and associates in other parts of the world. The Internet has made possible many online communities composed of military professionals.

Without the new satellite system, large numbers of Soldiers will be without regular communications for much or most of their time in Afghanistan. The infrastructure is Spartan to non-existent.

More about the satellite service on http://www.ts2.pl/en/Internet-in-Iraq-and-Afghanistan

Supported locations in Afghanistan

Airfields

Bagram Air base
Chagcharan
Chapman Airfield
Bamian / Bamiyan
Fayzabad / Faizabad
Herat
Jalalabad
Kabul International
Kandahar / Qandahar
Khowst
Mazar-e Sharif, AF
Meymanah / Maimana
Pul-i-Kandahar, AF
Rhino FOB
Shindand Air base
Taloqan / Talulqan

COP’s

COP Baylough
COP Curry
COP JDCC
COP Jelawur
COP Keating
COP Michigan
COP Rath
COP Sangar
COP Sweeney
COP Terminator
COP Warheit

Camps

Camp Albert
Camp Bagram
Camp Barber
Camp Black Horse
Camp Blackjack
Camp Bastion
Camp Bulldog
Camp Civilian
Camp Clark
Camp Cunningham
Camp Delaram
Camp Dogan
Camp Dwyer / Camp Dywer
Camp Eggers
Camp Gecko
Camp Gibraltar
Camp Hadrian
Camp Holland
Camp Harriman
Kamp Holland
Camp Invicta
Camp Julien
Camp Kabul
Camp Kandahar
Camp Kearney
Camp Lightning
Camp Leatherneck
Camp Marmal
Camp Morehead
Camp Moorhead
Camp Nathan Smith
Camp Phoenix
Camp Rhino
Camp Salerno
Camp Signal Strike
Camp Souter
Camp Spann
Camp Stone
Camp Tombstone
Camp Vianini
Camp Warehouse
Camp Wilson
Camp Wright
Camp Victory

FOB’s

FOB ABAD
FOB Almasak
FOB Andar
FOB Airborne
FOB Altimur
FOB Anaconda
FOB Apache
FOB Armadillo
FOB Asadabad
FOB Azizullah
FOB Bakwa
FOB Bakwah
FOB Bala Murgha
FOB Bala Murghab
FOB Bermel
FOB Blackhawk
FOB Blackhorse
FOB Blessing
FOB Bostick
FOB Boris
FOB Bullard
FOB Clark
FOB Cobra
FOB Connolly
FOB Chapman
FOB Davis
FOB Delaram
FOB Delhi
FOB Dehli
FOB Dwyer
FOB Edinburgh
FOB Farah
FOB Fenty
FOB Finley-Shields
FOB Freia
FOB Frontenac
FOB Gamberi
FOB Gardez
FOB Gereshk
FOB Geronimo
FOB Ghazni
FOB Ghowrmach
FOB Gibraltar
FOB Howz-e Madad
FOB Hunter
FOB Hutal
FOB Indianhead
FOB Inkerman
FOB Jackson
FOB Jaker
FOB Joyce
FOB Keating
FOB Kalagush
FOB Keenan
FOB Kunduz
FOB Kushamond
FOB Lane
FOB Leatherneck
FOB Lightning
FOB Lindsey
FOB Logar
FOB Lagman
FOB Lion
FOB Lonestar
FOB Lwara
FOB Masum
FOB Ma’sum Ghar
FOB Martello
FOB Maimaneh
FOB Ma’sum Ghar
FOB Mehtar Lam
FOB Mizan
FOB Nathan Smith
FOB Naray
FOB Nolay
FOB Orgun-e
FOB Pasab
FOB Payne
FOB Price
FOB Puza-i-Eshan
FOB Qalat
FOB Ramrod
FOB Rhino
FOB Ripley
FOB Robinson
FOB Rushmore
FOB Salerno
FOB Sandford
FOB Scorpion
FOB Shank
FOB Sharana
FOB Shindand
FOB Stone
FOB Sperwan Ghar
FOB Smart
FOB Spin Boldak
FOB Sweeney
FOB Tillman
FOB Terrett
FOB Thunder
FOB Tiger
FOB Todd
FOB Tombstone
FOB Tora
FOB Tycz
FOB Walton
FOB Warrior
FOB Waza Khwa
FOB Wilson
FOB Wishtan
FOB Wolf
FOB Wolverine
FOB Wright
FOB Vulcan
FOB Zeebrugge
FOB Zormot
FOB Zormat

Fire Bases

Fire Base Anaconda
Fire Base Asadabad
Fire Base California
Fire Base Cobra Strike
Fire Base Cobra
Fire Base Gardez
Fire Base Lagman
Fire Base Maholic
Fire Base Nixon
Fire Base Orgun-E
Fire Base Oulet
Fire Base Phoenix
Fire Base Shkin
Fire Base Waza Khwa
Fire Base Wilderness

Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT)

PRT Asadabad – ISAF US
PRT Baglan – ISAF
PRT Bagram – ISAF US
PRT Bamian (Bamyan) ISAF NZ
PRT Chaghcharan – ISAF Lithuania
PRT Farah – ISAF US
PRT Feyzabad – ISAF Germany
PRT Gardez – ISAF US
PRT Ghazni – ISAFUS
PRT Herat – ISAF Italy
PRT Jalalabad – ISAF US
PRT Kabul
PRT Khandahar – ISAF Canada
PRT Khowst / Khost – ISAF US
PRT Konduz – ISAF Germany
PRT Lashkar-Gah – ISAF UK
PRT Mazar-E-Sharif – ISAF Sweden
PRT Mehtar Lam – ISAF US
PRT Meymaneh – ISAF Norway
PRT Nurestan – ISAF US
PRT Parwan – ROK/US
PRT Panjshir – ISAF US
PRT Pol-E-Khomri – ISAF Netherlands
PRT Qalat – ISAF US
PRT Qala-e-Naw – ISAF Spain
PRT Sharana – ISAF US
PRT Tarin Kowt – ISAF Netherlands/Australia
PRT Wardak – ISAF Turkey

Other

Combat Outpost Herrera
Combat Outpost Keating
Combat Outpost Margah
PB Jaker
PB Rahim

Milsatcom Middle East 2012 Strategic Satellite Communications for National Defence & Security

Artur Nowak — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 10:36:37 +0000

Milsatcom Middle East is a two day conference developed specifically to meet the satellite communications needs of Middle East military, government and security agencies.

It will be an important event for military satellite professionals in the gulf and greater middle east region in the year 2012. A major opportunity for regional governments and defense forces are looking forward to commercial satellite services for their milsatcom needs. This is the only platform for learning more about latest milsatcom trends and meeting with regional defense and government leaders. Hence, it is a absolute must attend for you.

Milsatcom Middle East discusses both technologies and relevant developments in commercial markets which are very critical for Military and Security agencies relying on satellite communications.

Topics of interest:

Examining the evolution of military satellite communications
Understanding the role of commercial satellite industry in future milsatcom operations
Challenges while planning for a joint milsatcom approach for all three services
Meeting the challenges posed by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Keeping secrets: Network continuity + Transmission Security

World-class speaker line up:

• Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Center of Excellence, UAE Armed Forces
• Tim Shroyer, Chief Technology Officer, GD Satcom Technologies
• Gerard Donelan, Head of Public Sector Projects, SES
• Christopher Baugh, President, Northern Sky Research
• Hugues LANCRENON, Thales – Defense and Security C4I System Division
• David Moss, Director Government Services, Thuraya
• Dr Leslie Klein, President & CEO, C-COM Satellite Systems
• Martin Jarrold, Director, Global VSAT Forum

Who is supporting the event:

Gold Sponsor: Yahsat
Silver Sponsor: Thales
Session Sponsors: SES, Newtec
Official Supporters: NSR, GVF

At Milsatcom Middle East, you will find answers to the following questions amongst others:

Where is Mlisatcom currently – both technologically and commercially – and how it is likely to develop over coming years?
What are the leading trends and technologies ?
Which are the main companies involved in the development and application of Milsatcom, and what are their activities there?
What are the main challenges, and how are military professionals planning to overcome them?
How will defence agencies meet never ending demand for bandwidth, speed and applications?
How are governments planning to get involved?
What are the main drivers and restraints for milsatcom development?

Milsatcom Middle East convenes in Abu Dhabi on Jan 23-24, 2012

Artur Nowak — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:24:20 +0000

Government, defence and commercial satellite industry leaders will come together in Abu Dhabi at Milsatcom Middle East on 23-24 Jan 2012.

Military satellite communications (milsatcom) has achieved special significance in the past few years. Innovative developments such as improved satellite capabilities, cost effective business models, and heightened security requirements have transformed the sector. This thought-leadership conference comes at a pertinent time and enables governments and commercial organisations to capitalise on changes.

Milsatcom Middle East includes a two day conference highlighting one of the world’s fastest growing Milsatcom markets, where many government and defence organisations are serious about looking at commercial providers for their future milsatcom requirements. This event will connect regional military and security professionals with the commercial military satellite communications industry.

For more information and to book your place please visit milsatcom.me

Horizon Globex unveils smartphone app for the mobile VoIP, not only for Military Personnel

admin — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:38:15 +0000

One Horizon Group, announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary Horizon Globex is unveiling Horizon Call, a smartphone app for the most bandwidth-efficient mobile VoIP at ITU Telecom World.

The rise in mobile data traffic resulting from the rapid adoption of smartphones, mobile and video apps has placed tremendous pressure on operators’ networks, causing a noticeable increase in dropped calls.

Based on the company’s SmartPacket™ technology, Horizon enables mobile VoIP from only 2kbps compared to around 8kbps from other services. It is fully compatible with digital telecommunications standards and is capable of interconnecting any phone system over IP – over mobile, fixed and satellite networks.

The Horizon Call app operates over EDGE, 3G, 4G/LTE, WiFi and WiMax networks and is initially available for the iPhone. Horizon uses wireless bandwidth much more efficiently than other mobile VoIP apps, particularly in the way it handles silence. Other VoIP services send the same amount of data in both directions regardless of whether someone is speaking or not. Horizon detects silence and uses significantly less data. In addition, the app offers the unique feature of allowing users to select from three different levels of call quality for optimal balance between quality and consumed bandwidth.

Other VoIP apps are also a potential threat to mobile operators’ call revenues. The Horizon model is to partner with mobile operators to allow them to take the Horizon Call app to market, decide strategically how to position it within their portfolio, how to commercialise it, to customise it with their own branding and to control call routing to retain PSTN revenues.

“Our Horizon Call app couldn’t come at a better time to help mobile operators address the explosive growth in mobile data traffic,” said Mark White, CEO, One Horizon Group. “And our model presents them with an option to compete against other mobile VoIP apps, while also helping to reduce call dropping and ultimately churn.”

Horizon Globex will be unveiling the Horizon Call app at ITU Telecom World in Geneva, from 24-27 October, in the Smart Work Pavilion, stand 4270.03.

About One Horizon Group Plc

One Horizon Group’s business is to optimise communications over the internet. It is the parent company of Horizon Globex and SatCom Global. Horizon Globex develops the Group’s Horizon solution which is the world’s most bandwidth-efficient VoIP platform and also offers a range of optimised data applications. SatCom Global is one of world’s leading mobile satellite communications providers. It provides services from Inmarsat, Iridium, Thuraya and VSAT operators. The Group has operations in the UK, USA, Switzerland, UAE, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia. For more information on the company, its products and services, please visit www.onehorizongroup.com

10 Technologies the U.S. Military Will Need For the Next War

Artur Nowak — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:17:10 +0000

Throughout U.S. history, advances in military capability have been fueled by innovation. All branches of the military consistently have managed to use technology in new and creative ways to gain an edge over the enemy. The wars of the past decade exposed an “innovation gap” that forced the U.S. military to play catch up, and react to enemy tactics — such as roadside bombs and sniper attacks — rather than anticipating them. The Defense Department’s research-and-development apparatus was slow to respond with new and improved weapons based on changing threats.

Source: www.nationaldefensemagazine.org

Inmarsat Satellite Services on the Polish market

admin — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:08:10 +0000

TS2, a Polish company providing military satellite services, has joined the group of authorized distributors of Inmarsat. With the agreement the offer range can be extended with highly advanced Inmarsat satellite communications technologies.

At present, TS2 offers the following Inmarsat products:

IsatPhone – mobile satellite phone
A lightweight, pocket-size dual-mode satellite and GSM 900 mobile phone, with an easy to use icon-driven menu and a full range of accessories. The service is available across Asia, Africa and the Middle East via the Inmarsat-4 Indian Ocean satellite and is expected to go global in 2009.

LandPhone – fixed satellite phone
A low-cost, fixed voice service, which can be used indoors or outdoors as a private or business telephone, or as a payphone-type solution in conjunction with prepay cards. Connects to a standard telephone and remote antenna, and is currently available across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN)
Delivers simultaneous voice and broadband data communications via a lightweight, notebook-size device. Provides seamless network coverage across most of the world’s landmass and offers Standard IP at speeds up to 492kbps and “on-demand” Streaming IP at up to 256kbps.

FleetBroadband 500, 250 and 150
Our most advanced maritime service is designed to provide cost-effective, high-speed data and voice communications, including simultaneous voice and data, Standard IP with speeds of up to 432kbps over a shared channel, ISDN at 64kbps, and streaming data up to 256kbps.

Fleet 77, 55 and 33
These three maritime services offer a combination of global voice and fax communications, Mobile ISDN data at 64kbps and 128kbps, and our original always-on IP-based Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) for email, web browsing and other office applications.

FleetPhone – maritime satellite phone
A low-cost phone service ideal for smaller vessels, consisting of below-decks equipment with an integrated voice handset connected to an omni-directional antenna. Available now in the Inmarsat-4 Indian Ocean Region and going global in 2009.

SwiftBroadband
Designed to meet the high-speed data communications needs of passengers, cabin crew and pilots in airliners, business jets and government aircraft. Offers a package of simultaneous voice and data, plus contended IP-based data up to 432kbps per channel and 64kbps ISDN.

Swift 64
Provides bandwidth for applications such as high-quality voice, email, internet and intranet access, and videoconferencing, via its Mobile ISDN and IP-based Mobile Packet Data Service (MPDS) offerings.

Inmarsat A
The original Inmarsat system, which was withdrawn from service at the end of 2007. Based on analogue techniques, it provided global two-way telephony, facsimile, data and telex communications to the maritime community for a quarter of a century.

Inmarsat B
The first digital successor to Inmarsat A, capable of high-quality telephony, facsimile, data and telex services, and compatible with the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS).

Inmarsat C and Mini C
A digital system based on a low-cost satellite terminal, providing two-way store-and-forward messaging, distress calling, EGC SafetyNET™ and FleetNET™, data reporting and polling. The system is approved for use under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and mandatory for Solas-compliant ships operating outside Navtex coverage areas.

IsatM2M
A two-way burst messaging service enabling a wide range of machine-to-machine applications for tracking and monitoring remote fixed or mobile assets on a global basis – whether on land, at sea or in the air.

Inmarsat D+
The predecessor to IsatM2M. A two-way data communications service that uses very small equipment, with integrated GPS, for data transfer, remote monitoring, tracking and tracing.

Inmarsat M
The first briefcase satphone, introduced in 1993. Also available in the maritime market, as a smaller, digital alternative to Inmarsat B, offering two-way voice telephony, distress alerting, fax and data services at lower data rates.

Mini M
Introduced in 1995, based on digital technology and capable of two-way voice telephony, alerting, fax and data services. Operates only in the reduced coverage offered by the Inmarsat-3 spot beams, but its notebook size has made it one of the most popular Inmarsat services on land and at sea.

GAN
A precursor to BGAN, the Global Area Network (GAN) service offers high-quality voice, plus a combination of the 64kbps Mobile ISDN and packet-based MPDS data services via a portable terminal.

R-BGAN
An IP-based entry level device within the BGAN range of terminals. It was formerly known as Regional BGAN. Inmarsat chose Hughes Network Systems (HNS) for the development and production work associated with the Regional BGAN network, including the R-BGAN satellite IP modem, which provides data only packet-data connectivity. This service was withdrawn at the end of 2008.

Aero H / H+
Supports multi-channel voice, fax and data communications at speeds up to 9.6kbps anywhere in the global (hemispherical) beams of Inmarsat’s satellites.

Aero I
Brings multi-channel voice, fax and data at up to 4.8kbps to corporate aircraft, military transports and regional airliners through smaller, cheaper terminals.

Aero L
Provides airline and government operators with global, real-time, two-way data communications, principally to support air traffic control and airline operations.

Mini M Aero
Suited to border patrol, coastguard, emergency services and remote-area operations applications. Supports a single channel for voice, fax or 2.4kbps PC data, SIM-card capability and STU-III encrypted voice.

Aero C
For non-safety-related text or data messages from anywhere in the world. With integrated GPS, it can be readily installed in corporate and general-aviation aircraft and helicopters, and offers two-way store-and-forward data communications, messaging, polling and position-reporting.

Taming the Heavens: The New Space Diplomacy

Artur Nowak — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 13:23:39 +0000

In February, the government of the United States issued its first-ever National Security Space Strategy (NSSS), a document jointly produced by the Department of Defense and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The timing of the release was interesting, coming three months after the Council of the European Union released a draft Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities.

Skeptics in Washington suspected that the NSSS was a negotiating document released in response to the EU effort, and designed to lead to an accord between the US and the EU on space security.

More > http://www.isn.ethz.ch

ViaSat-1 Named Winner in Telecommunications Category for TechAmerica Foundation American Technology Awards

Artur Nowak — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:28:37 +0000

ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq:VSAT) has been named the winner in the Telecommunications category for the American Technology Awards, which bestows the only “Best Of” awards recognizing all technology products and services for the technology industry. ViaSat won the award for the innovative design of its high-capacity satellite system, featuring the ViaSat-1 satellite. Nominations were vetted by industry experts and technology companies. Known as “The Termans,” these awards are named after Frederick Terman, who is widely credited as being the father of Silicon Valley.

“We’d like to thank the panel of experts for recognizing the true potential of our new satellite architecture to transform the performance of satellite communications and lift our industry to a more competitive position in telecommunications,” said Mark Dankberg, chairman and CEO of ViaSat. “I’d also like to congratulate our CTO Mark Miller, the chief architect of the system, and all the ViaSat employees who’ve contributed to its development.”

The winners were announced on June 15 at TechAmerica Foundation’s ninth annual Technology and Government Dinner, which gathered hundreds of industry, congressional, and government leaders to celebrate the partnership between industry and government.

“We had a lot of nominations for these prestigious awards, and we congratulate ViaSat for its winning achievement, as it continues to influence technology development throughout the world,” said Senator Bob Bennett, chairman for TechAmerica Foundation.

The American Technology Awards were presented for each of following segments of the technology industry: Aerospace and Defense; Clean Tech/Green Tech/Smart Grid; Cloud Computing/Software as a Service; Computers and Peripherals; Consumer Electronics; Cyber Security and Authentication; Electronic Components; Internet Services; Measurement and Control Instruments; Medical Devices; Server & Storage Technology; Software; Technology Consulting; Technology Services; and Telecommunications. Additional award categories include: Breakthrough Technology; Corporate Leadership; and Government Technology Executive of the Year.

For more information, please visit www.techamericafoundation.org/thetermans.

Source: ViaSat

Troubled Space-Based Infrared Satellite Program Finally Gets Off the Ground

Artur Nowak — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:19:57 +0000

SBIRS-High and SBIRS-Low. At one time the two missile defense satellite systems were notorious examples of over budget, technologically challenged military space programs.

SBIRS — space-based infrared systems — was conceived in the early 1990s as the next-generation of spacecraft that could not only warn when intercontinental or theater ballistic rockets were being launched, but track them accurately enough to possibly shoot them down with a missile defense system.

On May 7, the Air Force successfully sent to geosynchronous orbit GEO-1, the first SBIRS satellite.

More > http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org

Remotely Piloted Aircraft Fuel Demand for Satellite Bandwidth

Artur Nowak — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:07:13 +0000

To fly combat missions around the globe, the Defense Department’s Predator and Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles rely on satellite communication links that allow Air Force pilots to direct the aircraft from ground control stations based in the continental United States.

The communications-hungry drones consume large amounts of bandwidth to pipe battlefield video feeds and other sensor data back to intelligence centers and to forces on the ground. As a result, satellites are becoming overloaded by the never-ending demand.

More > http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org