Satellite for military communications closer to launch

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin says the third Mobile User Objective System satellite it built for the U.S. Navy was encapsulated into its payload fairing.

The satellite, which will improve secure mobile satellite communications for warfighters on the move, is set for launch in January.

"MUOS is a game changer in communications for our warfighters and will allow them to have high-fidelity voice conversations, networked team calls and data exchange, including video, with anyone connected to a secure terminal around the world," said Iris Bombelyn, vice president of narrowband communications at Lockheed Martin. "The launch of MUOS-3 will increase our network coverage to about three-quarters of the globe."

MUOS, which is replacing the legacy Ultra High Frequency Follow-On system communications satellite system, carries two payloads for UHF narrowband communications -- an advanced Wideband Code Division Access payload that features commercial technology, and a new waveform to provide users priority-based capacity.

It operates like a smart phone network and provides on-demand, beyond-line-of-sight capability to transmit and receive prioritized voice and mission data on a high-speed Internet Protocol-based system.

When fully operational, MUOS will provide about 16 times the capacity of the legacy communications satellite system.

MUOS satellites were launched in 2012 and 2013. They are currently providing voice communications. MUOS-4 will be launched into orbit later next year.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems is the MUOS prime contractor and system integrator for the Navy.