US Army Tests Virtualized Ground System for Agile and Resilient Military SATCOM
Key Takeaway: TL;DR Version
The U.S. Army successfully tested a fully virtualized ground system for satellite communications (SATCOM) using Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. This system offers greater flexibility and adaptability for military operations compared to traditional hardware-based systems.
Summary
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Telesat Government Solutions, and Cobham Satcom collaborated to demonstrate a virtualized ground system for the U.S. Army.
- The system utilized Kratos’ OpenSpace platform for communication with Telesat’s LEO 3 demonstration satellite using Cobham antennas.
- Kratos’ OpenEdgeTM 2500 digitizer facilitated communication between Cobham’s antenna and the virtualized modems connected to the LEO satellite.
- This virtualized approach provides the military with more flexibility and resiliency for their communication needs compared to traditional ground systems.
- Benefits of virtualized ground systems include:
- Ability to connect with multiple satellites and networks.
- Adaptability to meet the requirements of various missions.
- Software-defined platform for faster adjustments.
The Complete Story
Military communication relies heavily on satellite communication (SATCOM) for transmitting data, voice, and video across vast distances. Traditionally, ground systems for SATCOM have been hardware-based, offering limited flexibility and adaptability for modern military operations. However, a recent successful demonstration by the US Army has showcased the potential of virtualized ground systems for the future of military SATCOM.
Breaking Down the Virtualized SATCOM Ground System
The US Army, along with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Telesat Government Solutions, and Cobham Satcom, collaborated to demonstrate a groundbreaking virtualized ground system. This system leverages software-defined components to establish communication between ground troops and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. Here’s a deeper look at the technology behind this achievement:
- Kratos OpenSpace Platform: This software-defined platform serves as the backbone of the virtualized ground system. It facilitates communication and network management, enabling flexibility in connecting with various satellites and networks.
- Telesat LEO 3 Demonstration Satellite: The demonstration utilized Telesat’s LEO satellite, showcasing the virtualized system’s compatibility with this emerging constellation technology.
- Cobham Antennas and Kratos OpenEdge Digitizer: Cobham’s antennas provided the physical link to the satellite, while Kratos’ OpenEdgeTM 2500 digitizer acted as the bridge, converting radio signals into digital data streams for processing by the virtualized modems.
Advantages of Virtualized Ground Systems for Military SATCOM
The virtualized ground system offers several advantages over traditional hardware-based systems:
- Increased Flexibility: Virtualization allows the system to adapt to various communication needs. Troops can connect with different satellites and networks depending on the mission requirements and location.
- Enhanced Adaptability: Software updates can be implemented quickly, enabling the system to adapt to evolving threats and communication scenarios.
- Improved Scalability: Virtual resources can be easily scaled up or down based on the number of users and the volume of data being transmitted.
- Greater Resiliency: The software-defined nature of the system makes it less susceptible to hardware failures. Virtual components can be easily replicated and rerouted, ensuring mission-critical communication remains operational.
The Future of Military SATCOM: Embracing Virtualization
The successful demonstration by the US Army marks a significant step towards virtualized SATCOM ground systems becoming a mainstay in military operations. These systems offer greater flexibility, adaptability, and resilience, all crucial factors for modern warfare.
Looking ahead, we can expect further advancements in virtualized SATCOM technology. Integration with artificial intelligence (AI) could enable the system to optimize network performance and make real-time decisions for efficient communication. Additionally, the rise of LEO constellations will provide more communication options, further highlighting the need for flexible ground systems.
The US Army’s virtualized SATCOM ground system paves the way for a new era of agile and resilient military communication. As technology continues to evolve, virtualized systems will undoubtedly play a vital role in ensuring seamless and reliable communication for our armed forces.