MUOS Tested During Navy’s Ice Exercise Program

Rendering of an MUOS satellite. Photo: Lockheed Martin

[Via Satellite 05-06-2014] Lockheed Martin completed an analysis of the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellites during the U.S. Navy’s 2014 Ice Exercise (ICEX), and showed that the satellites provided almost 150 hours of secure data connections. This exercise marked the first time military personnel could transfer large data files over satellite connections in the arctic.

A team from Lockheed Martin provided satellite communications on top of the floating ice camp above the Arctic Circle. The company first demonstrated the MUOS constellation’s effectiveness during tests in 2013, which showed a significant strong signal reach capabilities as well as expanded coverage in general.

“Last year we proved the constellation’s reach, but this is the first time MUOS has been used for secure government exercises,” said Paul Scearce, director of military space advanced programs at Lockheed Martin. “This means users could traverse the globe using one radio, without needing to switch out because of different coverage areas. This goes far in increasing the value that MUOS provides mobile users, not just in traditional theaters of operation, but those at the furthest extents of the planet.”