[Satellite TODAY Insider 02-23-11] The Canadian Department of National Defense (DND) has contracted Astrium Services to deliver AirPatrol airborne satcom terminals to support Canada’s Radar and Imaging for the Land/Littoral Environment Technology Demonstration Project, Astrium announced Feb. 22.
    The terminal, which will be delivered and supported by Astrium Services’ Secure Satcom Systems, aims to enable the DND to evaluate the technical feasibility and operational capability of an airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform.
    "The Canadian contract is an example of a governmental research use with a view to eventual applications including, border security, and environmental monitoring," Astrium Services’ Secure Satcom Systems Managing Director Aidan Joy told Satellite TODAY Insider. "There are also opportunities in the geo-information services market," said Joy. "We need to ensure that users are able to concentrate on the service application and not worry about the system behind this."
    While a large majority of Astrium Services’ business targets military users, the company is seeking opportunities and prospects in the civil, governmental and security sectors, Joy said. "Astrium Secure Satcom Systems is engaged with a large number of potential users who are developing platforms and services that will benefit from the high performance of AirPatrol. While we are working with these companies to support their developments, we continue to try and secure future contracts," he said.
    Separately, Paradigm Secure Communications, a subsidiary of Astrium Services, announced it signed a five-year contract to provide operations and maintenance support and personnel training for the Yahsat military satellite telecommunications system of the United Arab Emirates.
    The contract, which Astrium said is valued at tens of millions of dollars, will see Paradigm develop a comprehensive training program for the two-satellite Yahsat system. The first satellite, Yahsat 1A, is scheduled to launch March 29 aboard an Arianespace Ariane 5 ECA rocket.
    "This is a hugely significant contract for Astrium, reinforcing our reputation as a world leading military satellite services’ company. It is a testament to our strength in providing expert, managed, military satellite communications solutions through our range of Paradigm services," Eric Béranger, CEO of Astrium Services, said in a statement.

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