Harris Mesh Reflectors Deployed on Navy’s 4th MUOS Satellite; Bill Gattle Comments

A pair of Harris-made satellite mesh antenna reflectors have deployed onboard a fourth Mobile User Objective System communications satellite that Lockheed Martin has built for the U.S. military.

Harris said Wednesday it designed the unfurlable reflector technology for the five-satellite MUOS constellation, run by the U.S. Navy, to deliver up to 16 times more network capacity to mobile troops globally.

“We remain committed to meeting the needs of the MUOS program, which will ensure that our warfighters have the most advanced communications technology,” said Bill Gattle, president of Harris’ space and intelligence systems business.

The Navy launched MUOS-4 in September.

Each MUOS satellite employs a 14-meter reflector intended to facilitate multibeam satcom operations and a 5.4-meter platform to support legacy operations, according to the company.

The company said it is also developing radio terminals for the satellite’s end users.

Harris’ Falcon III AN/PRC-117G and AN/PRC-158 multiband tactical manpack radios are also configurable to host the MUOS waveform technology.