SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the world's
most impenetrable satellite communications systems, built by
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) to serve the U.S., Canada, the
Netherlands and the U.K., is now live. Those nations now
have a modern, operational protected network to connect their
militaries when responding to global crises.
All four international partners are currently connected to the
Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellite network, which
provides protected communications from the Oval Office to the front
lines. This phase, called initial operational capability, means the
baseline capabilities have been met and that all operators with
access can begin using the system for routine sensitive
communication and critical operations.
"When a commander issues orders, they need to know their troops
will get the information quickly and without fear of interruption
or interception," said Mark C.
Calassa, vice president of Protected Communication Systems
and AEHF program manager for Lockheed Martin. "Compared to anything
else on orbit, AEHF gives an unmatched level of protection and has
five times the speed of legacy protected communication systems.
With AEHF reaching IOC, the system's international partners can
more quickly and safely command some of the world's most capable
militaries to address global instability as it arises."
AEHF provides a necessary, assured communications link for
national leaders and military commanders transmitting sensitive
information in contested areas. While there are many secure
satellite communication systems serving both the civil and military
sectors, AEHF is the only current system protected against the full
spectrum of threats.
A constellation of nuclear-hardened communications satellites
forms the AEHF protected network to stave off high-tech jammers,
eavesdropping and cyberattacks. On-board signal processing and
satellite-to-satellite crosslinks further insulate communications
from vulnerability by eliminating the need for ground relay
stations.
The system's high data transfer rates can securely send images,
video and other mission data to compatible aircraft, naval vessels
and maneuver forces during special operations, anti-piracy missions
and humanitarian relief efforts. AEHF's gain in speed over its
predecessor, Milstar, can also provide high-quality, real-time
information like battlefield maps and targeting data for tactical
operations.
Achieving initial operational capability followed a six-month
evaluation cycle conducted by the U.S. Air Force where AEHF was
tested in simulated scenarios like harrowing battlefield
environments and cyberattacks. Lockheed Martin is contracted for
six AEHF satellites; three are performing on orbit and the
remaining three are in production at Lockheed Martin in
Sunnyvale.
For additional information about AEHF, visit our website:
www.lockheedmartin.com/aehf.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
112,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
The Corporation's net sales for 2014 were $45.6 billion.
Media Contact:
Mikel Savides, +1 408-250-7510;
mikel.savides@lmco.com
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin