Breaking news
HUGHES selected for GA-ASI "Type-Certifiable" Predator B RPA Platform 80703175.
| 2017
|
|
|||
|
Defense & Security News - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
HUGHES selected for GA-ASI "Type-Certifiable" Predator B RPA Platform
|
|||
|
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has awarded Hughes Network Systems' Defense and Intelligence and Systems Division (DISD) a contract to provide satellite communications on the "Type-Certifiable" Predator B (TCPB) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) system, which provides the basis for the United Kingdom's Protector program.
|
|||
|
|
|||
 Certifiable Predator B (Credits: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems)
|
|||
|
|
|||
|
A variant of the proven multi-mission Predator B, the new SkyGuardian aircraft will provide a next-generation capability, integrating enhanced safety and reliability systems that will enable RPA flight within civilian airspace, along with an increased payload capacity that will support a wide variety of mission sets.
Working with GA-ASI, Hughes is upgrading the aircraft’s satellite communications system with customized airborne Hughes HM series modems. The advanced modems will enable a significant increase in data transfer rates, employing an enhanced waveform that ensures resilient and secure communications when operating in challenging environments. The new aircraft is designed to be compliant with NATO and UK airworthiness requirements, supporting easy integration into segregated and non-segregated civil airspace operations around the world. The SkyGuardian RPA expects to meet initial European certification standards this year. |
|||