Skynet Milsatcom Modems to be Provided by Airbus
Contract Signed with the UK’s Ministry of Defense
A contract has been signed between the UK’s Ministry of Defense and Airbus to provide the next-generation modems for the nation’s Skynet satellite communications constellation.
"(T)his new Airbus produced modem will ensure that the Skynet System continues to deliver world class military satellite communications to Front Line Commands and our deployed operational personnel worldwide.”
Barry Austin, UK MoD
The new modems are delivered for the Future Protected Modem Type A project. They will replace the current Paradigm Modem System, support the Skynet 5 satellites and the yet-to-be-launched Skynet 6A satellite, and will provide several significant capability enhancements.
The new-generation, sovereign modem has been designed, developed and manufactured in the UK.
“We are very pleased that following a competition for the future, resilient satellite communications modem for UK Ministry of Defense, that a contract for design, manufacture and through life support for this critical capability has been awarded," said Barry Austin, Head of the MOD’s Defense Digital Skynet program. "Building on their long heritage, this new Airbus produced modem will ensure that the Skynet System continues to deliver world class military satellite communications to Front Line Commands and our deployed operational personnel worldwide.”
“We are pleased to share that the Future Protected Modem - Type A (FPM-A) competition has successfully concluded and Airbus Defense and Space Ltd has been awarded the contract to deliver this key capability, which forms an integral part of our Enterprise Space Category pipeline, delivering Defense's next generation of military satellite communications,” said Victoria Cope, Defense’s Digital Commercial Director.
The FPMA Modem advanced Software-Defined Radio (SDR) system combines multiple techniques to provide a highly resilient solution and is capable of hosting multiple waveforms. It will deliver safe and secure internet protocol (IP) communications on all commonly-used frequency bands, including X-band.
“This capability allows Airbus to continue to play a critical role in the provision of safe, secure, resilient and sovereign satellite communications capability for the UK, especially relevant in the current dynamic operating environment," said Richard Budd, vice-president Space Digital Secure Connectivity UK, US and Asia. “In particular, the FPMA modem enables capability evolution in response to more sophisticated threats and will do so at sea and on the ground. It’s a fundamental step towards secure Multi Domain Operations.”
The Future Protected Modem-A is due to enter service in 2026, supported and enabled by integrated logistics support and training solutions. The modem includes an intuitive and secure Network Management System, to ensure effective planning and use of the spectrum and to monitor and control all the equipment.