Special operations forces choose Cubic to provide inflatable SATCOM antennas for use in harsh conditions
MacDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – U.S. special operations experts needed portable lightweight inflatable satellite communications (SATCOM) antennas for in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). They found their solution from the Cubic Corp. Mission Solutions division in Huntsville, Ala.
Officials of USSOCOM at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., announced a potential $172 million contract to Cubic on Monday for 1.2- and 2.4-meter ground antenna transmit and receive (GATR) inflatable SATCOM terminals and related equipment.
Cubic inflatable SATCOM antennas are designed for ground use, and are particularly useful in military situations in remote areas, quick deploys, or in bad weather.
Cubic inflatable SATCOM antennas are for deployments where the movement and installation of 2+ meter class standard deployable rigid satellite antennas is challenging. The design combines the transmission power advantages of a large antenna with the low weight and portability of a small-aperture antenna.
The Cubic 2.4 meter inflatable antenna system packs in as few as two cases that weight less than 99 pounds for a single-band, versus more than eight cases for traditional rigid antennas, reducing size and weight by 50 to 80 percent over rigid satellite antennas.
The Cubic inflatable SATCOM antennas, moreover, are reliable in extreme environments, are stable in high winds, and perform well in extreme heat and cold. The antennas can be set up in 30 minutes or less.
Cubic also provides a 1.2 meter backpackable antenna for high-bandwidth communications for transmission of secure and non-secure data, voice, and video, all in a compact package. all components fit in a backpack that weighs less than 50 pounds.
For more information contact Cubic Mission Solutions online at www.cubic.com, or USSOCOM at www.socom.mil.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
