Hughes to provide systems integration expertise and
demonstration of managed LEO SATCOM services for tactical
communications
WASHINGTON, May 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network
Systems, LLC (HUGHES), an innovator in satellite and
multi-transport technologies and networks for 50 years, and OneWeb,
the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, today
announced their selection by the U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL)
to demonstrate managed LEO satellite communications (SATCOM)
services to connect the Arctic region to sites around the globe.
Under the agreement, Hughes will test and implement these
end-to-end services on the OneWeb system between selected U.S.
Northern Command (NORTHCOM) locations, a first step in harnessing
the power of LEO satellites for high-speed, low-latency broadband
access in the Arctic.
"This opportunity reinforces the relationship between Hughes and
the U.S. Air Force to ensure resilient, flexible SATCOM networks
for tactical, multi-domain operations," said Rick Lober, vice
president and general manager of the Defense and Intelligence
Systems Division at Hughes. "We look forward to partnering with
OneWeb to bring LEO innovation into the military SATCOM
enterprise, especially in the strategic Arctic region where
connectivity has been limited—until now."
"The OneWeb constellation has been designed to enable
low-latency broadband access across the globe, allowing
connectivity in previously unreached areas—a capability that is
ideal for tactical, multi-domain operations in the Polar region and
beyond," said Dylan Browne, Head of
Government Services with OneWeb. "Working together with Hughes, we
will bridge the gap in connectivity for NORTHCOM with an
interoperable and secure solution."
As the prime contractor on the project, Hughes will lead
adaptation, integration, testing and ongoing management of this
service demonstration with OneWeb and Intellian, who are developing
user terminals for use on the OneWeb network. Designed for ease of
installation, the new Intellian terminals will utilize
next-generation technology to provide a cost-effective system to
access the low-latency, high bandwidth connectivity offered by
OneWeb.
Under a separate agreement with OneWeb, Hughes is engineering
and producing the gateway equipment and user terminal core module,
making the company a logical choice for enabling high-speed,
low-latency services above the 50th parallel North, an area that
has been difficult to connect with other types of satellite
services. The DoD contract is part of the U.S. Air Force's Defense
Experimentation Using the Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI)
program.
OneWeb's network was designed for global coverage and is
uniquely capable in its ability to deliver much-needed connectivity
services to the Arctic. With 182 satellites launched to date and
regular 2021 launches planned and on-track, OneWeb will be able to
deliver coverage to the 50th parallel North and above by the end of
2021, bridging a long-standing connectivity gap and building secure
communications capability in an underserved region.
For more information about Hughes Defense and Intelligence
Systems, visit defense.hughes.com. More information about OneWeb
may be found at www.oneweb.world.
About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems,
LLC (HUGHES), an innovator in satellite and multi-transport
technologies and networks for 50 years, provides broadband
equipment and services; managed services featuring smart,
software-defined networking; and end-to-end network operation for
millions of consumers, businesses, governments and communities
worldwide. The Hughes flagship Internet service,
HughesNet®, connects more than 1.5 million subscribers
across the Americas, and the Hughes JUPITER™ System powers Internet
access for tens of millions more worldwide. Hughes supplies more
than half the global satellite terminal market to leading satellite
operators, in-flight service providers, mobile network operators
and military customers. A managed network services provider, Hughes
supports nearly 500,000 enterprise sites with its HughesON™
portfolio of wired and wireless solutions. Headquartered in
Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes
is owned by EchoStar. To learn more, visit www.hughes.com or follow
HughesConnects on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About EchoStar
EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) is a premier global provider of
satellite communication solutions. Headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and conducting business
around the globe, EchoStar is a pioneer in secure communications
technologies through its Hughes Network Systems and EchoStar
Satellite Services business segments. For more information, visit
www.echostar.com. Follow @EchoStar on Twitter.
About OneWeb
OneWeb will enable connectivity for
governments, businesses, and communities. It is
implementing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites with a
network of global gateway stations and a range of user terminals to
provide an affordable, fast, high-bandwidth and low-latency
communications service, connected to the IoT future and a pathway
to 5G for everyone, everywhere. Find out more
at http://www.oneweb.world
©2021 Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company. Hughes
and HughesNet are registered trademarks and JUPITER is a trademark
of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.
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