USS Abraham Lincoln achieves high-speed Internet with Starlink satellites in US Navy connectivity upgrade.

According to information published by the US DoD on August 20, 2024, the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) is spearheading an initiative to provide enhanced connectivity for sailors both afloat and ashore.
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Starlink antenna on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. (Picture source: Dvids)

This new capability, known as Sailor Edge Afloat and Ashore (SEA2), is transforming how sailors stay connected with the outside world and perform critical tasks aboard naval warships.

Historically, sailors deployed for months at a time have faced significant challenges in maintaining contact with friends and family, as well as in executing their professional responsibilities due to unreliable internet connections.

The need for a dependable, high-speed internet connection is critical for both personal and operational purposes, particularly for securely handling combat, navigational, and communication systems aboard ships.

SEA2 leverages low-orbit satellite technology to deliver high-speed internet access to ships and shore sites, a marked improvement over the previous reliance on geostationary Department of Defense (DOD) satellites.

Unlike the older satellites positioned approximately 22,300 miles above Earth, which provided slow data rates due to the long distance signals had to travel, the newer low-orbit satellites are located between 375 and 750 miles above Earth. This proximity, along with a network of about 7,000 satellites, enables faster and more reliable connectivity.

The catalyst for this technological shift was the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the necessity for better internet access when port calls were severely restricted, cutting off traditional means of communication.

To implement SEA2 effectively, NAVWAR focused on three key objectives: establishing laser crosslink capability between satellites, creating a downlink for shore sites, and developing a mobility code to maintain a ship's connection to satellites as it moves across the ocean.

The Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C4I), in collaboration with NAVWAR’s PMW 170 Communications and Global Positioning System Navigation program office, developed the Satellite Terminal (transportable) Non-Geostationary (STtNG). This system allows secure access to low-orbit satellites with a mid-range throughput of 30 to 50 megabits per second, scalable up to one gigabit per second by linking multiple Starlink antennas.

SEA2 has already demonstrated its transformative potential aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The increased speed and functionality of SEA2 are also paving the way for further advancements, such as Flank Speed Edge, a cloud-based system designed to transfer large volumes of data to ships.