Lockheed Martin [LMT] has delivered a communications system module for the second satellite in the Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) program, the company recently said.
Supporting ultra-high frequency (UHF) satellite communications (SATCOM), MUOS is expected to provide assured communications–including simultaneous voice, video and data–for mobile warfighters.
Designed and built by Lockheed Martin in Newtown, Pa., and delivered to the company’s facilities in Sunnyvale, Calif., the module features a wideband code division multiple access payload that incorporates advanced technology to provide a 10-fold increase over legacy UHF SATCOM in the number and capacity of satellite links. These technologies are intended to support new mobile satellite terminals that are under development for the Joint Tactical Radio System.
The module also includes a legacy UHF payload provided by Boeing [BA] that is compatible with more than 10,000 deployed UHF SATCOM terminals that will transition to MUOS as existing UHF Follow-on (UFO) satellites reach the end of their on-orbit life.
In a statement released yesterday, Lockheed Martin said that over the next few months it will complete the final test verification phase on the system module, integrate it with the spacecraft propulsion core module and other space vehicle components, and begin environmental and acceptance testing of the fully integrated space vehicle.
The first MUOS satellite has already completed Passive Intermodulation testing and is currently undergoing electromagnetic interference/electromagnetic compatibility testing in support of the Spacecraft Level Baseline Integrated System Test (BIST), according to Lockheed Martin. BIST testing will characterize the overall performance of the fully integrated MUOS spacecraft and establish a performance baseline before entering the environmental test phase, which includes acoustic and thermal vacuum testing.
The first MUOS satellite, along with the associated ground system provided by General Dynamics C4 Systems, Scottsdale, Ariz., is scheduled for on-orbit hand-over to the Navy next year.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the MUOS prime contractor and system integrator. The Navy’s Program Executive Office for Space Systems, Chantilly, Va., and its Communications Satellite Program Office, San Diego, Calif., are responsible for the MUOS program.