UFO F-10 is the third in the series to carry a high-capacity global broadcast service (GBS) payload consisting of four 130-watt military Ka-band transponders with three steerable downlink spot beam antennas and one steerable and one fixed uplink antenna

This new payload provides a 96 Mbps data transmission capability. The satellite also carries the baseline narrowband UHF and protected EHF payloads. The constellation is used to meet the Defense Department's communication requirements, which range from mobile communications to intelligence dissemination and quality-of-life programming.

"From the launch of the first UFO satellite in 1993 to this, the launch of our 10th, Hughes has been proud to have been selected to design, manufacture and arrange the launch of these Navy satellites," said Tig H. Krekel, HSC President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our more than three decades of service to the U.S. government is strong and enduring, and we remain committed to supporting these vital programs."

Hughes won the fixed-price competition for the UFO contract in July 1988. The original award included design, construction and launch of one satellite with options for nine more. Five options were exercised in 1990, three in 1991, and the final in 1994, bringing the total contract value to $1.9 billion. Last week, the Navy amended the contract to authorize construction of UFO F-11. That satellite is due for delivery in 2003.

HSC is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial communications satellites, and is also a major supplier of spacecraft and equipment to the U.S. government. Current government programs include not only UFO, but also the next-generation Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) and NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS). All are based on Hughes' HS 601 satellite design. UFO F-10 will be the 51st HS 601 model to be launched.

Hughes built a predecessor to the UFO system in the 1980s -- the LEASAT satellites that formed a global military communications network. In a separate procurement this month, a team led by HSC was awarded one of four study contracts for the Advanced Narrowband System/Mobile User Objective System. The HSC team will explore alternatives for a system that will replace the current Navy Fleet Satellite Communications satellites and UFO over the next two decades.

In addition, HSC is a subcontractor on the Milstar program, providing elements for the satellites' communications payloads. It also is a prime contractor developing an engineering model of an advanced EHF payload for the Air Force. Hughes also builds relay satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office.

SAIC

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Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005
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