The UK Ministry of Defence has contracted Airbus to provide modems for the British military’s Skynet satellite communications constellation.
The agreement encompasses the replacement of the armed forces’ older Paradigm Modem System, support for the existing Skynet 5 and future Skynet 6 constellations, and “significant” enhancements of related capabilities.
Additionally, the new modems will be integrated with a management system to deliver convenient control and monitoring operations for users.
Devices under the contract are scheduled to enter service in 2026, along with corresponding logistics support and training solutions.
“We are very pleased that following a competition for the future, resilient satellite communications modem for the UK Ministry of Defence, that a contract for design, manufacture and through life support for this critical capability has been awarded,” UK Defence Ministry Skynet Program Head Barry Austin stated.
“Building on their long heritage, this new Airbus produced modem will ensure that the Skynet System continues to deliver world class military satellite communications to Front Line Commands and our deployed operational personnel worldwide.”
In February 2023, London awarded Babcock a 400-million-pound ($504.2-million) contract to supervise the Skynet system for six years.
The constellation’s latest iteration, the Skynet 6A, is due for launch in 2026 in partnership with SpaceX.