WASHINGTON-Lockheed Martin Corp. said it is heading a team that will use third-generation wireless technology to build the Mobile User Objective System, an advanced narrowband tactical satellite communications system intended to improve communications for U.S. soldiers.
The first satellite is scheduled for launch in 2010, said Lockheed Martin. The company said the MUOS will replace the current Ultra High Frequency Follow-On system, adding that MUOS satellites will be fully compatible with the existing UFO system and associated legacy terminals. Lockheed Martin said the MUOS will dramatically increase military communications availability by leveraging 3G commercial advancements.
The MUOS will draw on 3G W-CDMA waveform and UMTS infrastructure elements. MUOS also will maximize the full feature capability of the future Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) terminals now being developed, according to Lockheed Martin.
“This vital system promises to be the hallmark for narrowband tactical military communications for the next 20 years,” said Leonard F. Kwiatkowski, vice president of Lockheed Martin Space Systems, “and will be the solution to the war-fighters’ long-sought capability of real-time communications on the move.”
Other MUOS team members include Ericsson Corp., General Dynamicsm, C4 Systems, Boeing Corp., Harris Corp., InterDigital, Epsilon, Northrop Grumman and Pinnacle Network Systems.
