Following
the completion of successful on-orbit testing, on Nov. 30, the U.S.
Navy accepted the fourth Lockheed Martin (NYSE-LMT)-built Mobile User
Objective System (MUOS) satellite.
Launched Sept. 2, MUOS-4 is the latest addition to a network of orbiting
satellites and relay ground stations that is revolutionizing secure
communications for mobile military forces. Users with operational MUOS
terminals can seamlessly connect beyond line-of-sight around the world
and into the Global Information Grid. MUOS’ new commercial, cellular-based
capabilities include simultaneous, crystal-clear voice, video and mission
data, over a secure high-speed Internet Protocol-based system. |
“MUOS-4
completes the initial constellation, providing the MUOS network with
nearly global coverage. Mobile forces, equipped with MUOS terminals,
will soon be able to communicate with each other – including voice,
data and exchanging imagery – real-time, virtually anywhere on
the Earth,” said Iris Bombelyn, Lockheed Martin’s vice president
for Narrowband Communications. “This is a tremendous upgrade in
communications capabilities over what currently exists for our nation
and our allies.”
MUOS-4 will be relocated in Spring 2016 to its on-orbit operational
slot in preparation for operational acceptance. The satellite joins
MUOS-1, MUOS-2 and MUOS-3, launched respectively in 2012, 2013 and January
2015, and four required MUOS ground stations. MUOS-5, an on-orbit spare,
also will be launched next year. |