SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. giant General Dynamics has been selected to supply antennas and other support equipment for the German military's new satellite communications radio system.
The Arizona-based C4 Systems division of the U.S. contractor said Wednesday it had received a contract from German company ND SatCom Defence GmbH for fixed and tactical antennas for the SATCOMBw Step 2 Program. The contract includes options through 2014 that would give the pact a total value of about $30 million, General Dynamics said in a news release.
"The Bundeswehr SATCOMBw Step 2 program requires products that can be easily integrated into systems to perform well in a wide variety of tactical environments," said GD's Jeff Porter. "Our VertexRSI antennas and radio products have a well-established record of performance to meet this requirement."
SATCOMBw is an entire communications network based on a constellation of geosynchronus satellites that is slated for deployment in two years. The NATO-compatible project includes mobile tactical communications terminals and strategic ground stations as well as overall network control facilities.
General Dynamics will produce tactical antennas that are 2.4 meters and 4.6 meters in size and fixed antennas ranging from 6.3 meters to 13.1 meters. All operate on the Ku, X and C bands and handle broadband data services, including video and Internet access. The larger antenna also have telephony and radio-relay capabilities.
