Kymeta has been selected to participate in the U.S. Army’s Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) satellite communications on the move (SOTM) pilot program. The program will assess communications solutions on select vehicles to enhance battlefield network and command post communications.
The ABCT pilot program will be led by General Dynamics Mission Systems and Kymeta will supply eight u8 terminals for integration and testing on a variety of ABCT vehicles. Kymeta is the industry’s first and only metamaterial-based SOTM terminal, and its electronically steered flat panel antenna platform utilizes satellite and cellular connectivity for communications on the move and on the pause.
“Kymeta’s advanced technology has become an operational asset in many Special Operations units. We are honored to support the U.S. Army in its efforts to modernize ABCT communications,” said Rob Weitendorf, vice president, Business Development, Kymeta. “On-the-move tactical connectivity is essential for combat teams during mission-critical operations and we are proud to support PEO C3T and PM Tactical Network in its efforts to improve communications in the armored brigades.”
Today, the u8 terminal is the only electronically steered antenna available and capable of supporting both low earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary (GEO) satellite constellations. The u8 includes future-proof capabilities with its ability to automatically switch back and forth from GEO satellite constellations with linear polarization and LEO constellations with circular polarization.
Kymeta’s advanced SOTM terminals automatically acquire and track satellites, join associated networks and establish communications without moving parts or operator intervention. In addition, the u8 supports multiple modems and network architectures, ensuring that legacy systems are interoperable and that they have the highest levels of security, encryption and authentication.