Navy asks all MUOS SATCOM providers to step forward for evaluation tests this March or April
SAN DIEGO, 27 Jan. 2014. U.S. Navy communications experts are surveying industry to find companies able to demonstrate their ability to develop and build Mobile User Objective System (MUOS)-capable radio terminals this spring as part of continuing MUOS terminal system evaluations.
Officials of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego have issued a sources-sought notice (SPAWAR_Headquarters_MKTSVY_E7212) for the MUOS Terminal Over-the-Air Capability Demonstration, which could begin industry MUOS evaluation as early as the end of March 2014.
MUOS is a UHF satellite communications (SATCOM) system that operates at frequencies from 300 MHz to 3 GHz and will replace the legacy UHF Follow-On (UFO) system before that system reaches its end of life. MUOS is intended to provide mobile users with new capabilities and enhanced mobility, access, capacity, and quality of service.
Related: Lockheed Martin delivers MUOS waveform for secure communications
The MUOS operates as a global cellular service provider to support the war fighter with modern cell phone-like capabilities such as multimedia. It converts a commercial 3G wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) cellular phone system to a military UHF SATCOM radio system using geosynchronous satellites in place of cell towers. Operating in UHF enables warfighters to communicate in difficult areas like forests where trees could attenuate higher frequency signals.
SPAWAR officials are conducting the industry survey on behalf of the Navy Communications Satellite Program Office (PMW 146) the Program Executive Office (PEO) for Space Systems in San Diego, which is the U.S. military's lead developer for the MUOS Program.
SPAWAR officials are requesting information from contractors who have developed or are currently developing a MUOS-capable radio terminal. The intent is to determine the number of interested terminal developers and their readiness to participate in an over-the-air demonstration as early as the end of March 2014.
Current testing uses the General Dynamics MUOS-capable handheld/manpack/small form fit (HMS) terminal, currently under development and delivery to the U.S. Army.
To expand MUOS terminal availability, the Navy is requesting information from terminal providers that are ready to demonstrate their products over the MUOS satellite system during upcoming MUOS risk reduction testing.
Demonstration terminals may be of any form, including man-portable, aircraft-mounted, vehicle-mounted, ship-mounted, or fixed-site, Navy officials say.
Related: General Dynamics to provide military mobile radios in $107.3 million contract
Companies interested should email white papers no later than 7 Feb. 2014 to the Navy's Jeffrey McCoy at [email protected]. White papers should describe companies' abilities to run the MUOS waveform on their terminals, close the link with the MUOS satellites, and communicate with the MUOS ground system.
Email questions or concerns to the Navy's Jeffrey McCoy at [email protected].
More information is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DON/SPAWAR/SPAWARHQ/SPAWAR_Headquarters_MKTSVY_E7212/listing.html. A .pdf with more information is online at MUOS Terminal OTA Capability Demonstration RFI.pdf.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
