ST. LOUIS, Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Boeing said Tuesday it had successfully tested its FAB-T satellite downlink for the U.S. Air Force.
Boeing said in a statement it had "demonstrated for the first time that its Family of Advanced Beyond line-of-sight Terminals -- FAB-T -- system can acquire an operational satellite and complete down-link data transmissions."
"During the Low Data Rate test, a FAB-T radio communicated with an operational Milstar satellite and completed a series of downlink tests, meeting program schedule commitments and laying the foundation for uplink tests and other interoperability assessments later this year. The test, conducted from Rockwell Collins' FAB-T Systems Integration Laboratory, used Boeing, RCI, ViaSat and L-3 Communications integrated hardware and software products," the company said.
"This successful FAB-T test is a significant milestone with an operational asset that demonstrates backwards compatibility with Milstar and provides the foundation for FAB-T Advanced Extremely High Frequency -- AEHF -- satellite communications capability," said Jim Dodd, Boeing FAB-T program manager. "The Boeing FAB-T team is pleased to have executed this important test achievement for the U.S. Air Force."
Boeing said more progress was achieved on the next block upgrade. "The Extended Data Rate -- XDR -- software development is ahead of schedule, and L-3 Communications recently completed XDR uplink/downlink acquisition and tracking with the AEHF satellite simulator," the company said.
Boeing said the FAB-T system "includes software-defined radios, antennas and associated user interface hardware that will enable the government to host numerous waveforms that accommodate data rates in excess of 300 megabits per second."
"Once operational, FAB-T will provide critical, secure beyond line-of-sight communications capability for war fighters via various satellites that support military forces. Initial deliveries are scheduled to begin in December 2008," the company said.
Boeing said FAB-T, which it described as "a key enabler of network-centric communications," would contribute "strategic forces with a multi-mission-capable family of software-defined radios that use common open system architecture to link to different satellites and enable information exchange between ground, air and space platforms."
