Harris Corp. has received a follow-on $10.7 M order from the US Navy for 23 shipboard terminals that will provide personnel onboard frigates, access to the Internet, video and other high-speed, broadband services. These capabilities will help sailors stay better connected to their families and allow them to easily handle routine activities online.
The terminals are part of the potential $77 M Commercial Broadband Satellite Program (CBSP) Unit Level Variant (ULV) contract awarded to Harris in 2008. Awards-to-date under the five-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract total $28.2 M. Through this follow-on order, Harris is supplying the Navy with 1.3-meter satellite communications terminals that offer both X- and Ku-band capabilities and support 10 times the bandwidth now accessible onboard Navy ships. The new terminals will enable the Navy to augment military satellite communications by supporting essential mission requirements and providing high-speed Internet access and video communications on Unit Level class ships.
Successful operational assessment of the shipboard satellite terminal in November 2009 moved the CBSP ULV program into this production phase. The CBSP program began as a Rapid Deployment Capability acquisition designed to reduce the time required to deliver critical/emerging warfighting capabilities.
"These SATCOM terminals will significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to provide the latest advances in broadband communications services to shipboard personnel, and will play a key role in maintaining their high morale and well-being," said Allen Lindsay, Vice President of Harris Defense Programs. "Provision of high-data-rate satellite communications equipment is a core competency of Harris. We are pleased to support the Navy with this innovative technology."