Kratos has won a contract worth more than $20 million to deliver mobile satellite communications (SATCOM) gateways to an undisclosed defense customer in Asia.
The San Diego-based company said the system will provide a mobile alternative to fixed SATCOM infrastructure, which can be vulnerable to attack or disruption, particularly when communications networks are damaged.
Kratos did not identify the country involved nor the number of systems covered by the contract.
At the center of the system is Kratos’ truck-mounted Trifold transportable antenna. The antenna will connect to a mobile SATCOM hub designed to provide high-throughput communications in field environments.
Kratos will also provide a shelter containing baseband equipment and network monitoring systems. Its Compass software will handle monitoring and control of mission-critical networks, while Monics will monitor the radio-frequency spectrum and detect interference.
“When fixed infrastructure is compromised, this mobile gateway lets warfighters stay connected, aware, and supported wherever the mission takes them,” John Chay, Kratos’ vice president of business development in Asia, said.
Kratos’ Trifold
The Trifold is Kratos’ line of transportable satellite earth-station antennas that combine precision engineering with a rugged mechanical design to support reliable performance and ease of operation under field conditions.
The systems are designed to provide satellite communications capabilities while remaining compact enough to be moved and deployed as needed.
The company currently lists 3.9-meter (12.8-foot) and 4.6-meter (15-foot) Trifold models. They can be configured with military trailers, equipment enclosures, environmental controls, generators, and integrated radio frequency equipment.
When configured with its trailer system, the Trifold can also be transported by C-130, C-17, and C-5 military aircraft.
