Neel Mehta
A Lockheed Martin demonstration using a wideband, multi-access payload and U.S. Navy satellites worked to exhibit radio coverage through the Arctic region and show how military field personnel could carry out polar communications.
Lockheed tested the Wideband Code Division Multiple Access payload’s coverage by using radios in the North Pole and sent voice and data signals through the Mobile User Objective System satellites, the company said Friday.
Paul Scearce, director of Lockheed’s military space advanced programs, said the company anticipates an increase in demand for communications systems in the Arctic region.
“The area is experiencing more shipping, tourism and natural resource exploration, which will also likely increase demands for search and rescue,†Scearce explained.
The radios reached an 89.5-degree north latitude, which the company said was beyond the system requirement of 65 degrees.
Lockheed used the General Dynamics PRC-155 Manpack, the Harris PRC-117G Manpack and the Rockwell Collins ARC-210 V5 airborne terminal in two rounds of testing.
The company also said it has plans to test the MUOS system features in the Antarctic.
