Lockheed Martin Vice President and General Manager of Government Services Mark Valerio said the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite would commence operations next month following completion of a multi-service operational test and evaluation phase.

   MUOS satellites were designed to include a wideband code division multiple access payload that aims to provide a 16-fold increase in transmission throughput over the military’s current Ultra High Frequency satellite system, including global connectivity through the Defense Information Systems Network. The U.S. Department of Defense expects five MUOS satellites to be in operation by 2015.

   “The successful on-orbit checkout of this revolutionary satellite is a great testament to the close coordination and partnership between the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin team,” Valerio said in a statement. “This event is another major milestone in our commitment to provide unparalleled communications capabilities that put mission-critical, real-time information in the hands of our mobile warfighters.”