In January of this year, Lockheed Martin successfully completed the required system testing on the second satellite in the U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), designated MUOS-2, as well as delivered the software waveform for the satellite. The new waveform will enable military satellite communications terminal providers to deploy equipment that takes full advantage of enhanced MUOS capabilities. The satellite has been placed in storage to awaits its scheduled launch date in July of 2013.

In the spring of 2013, Lockheed Martin will remove the satellite from storage, perform final spacecraft component installations and conduct a final factory confidence test in Sunnyvale, California, prior to shipping MUOS-2 to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, for its launch aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.

A nexgen narrowband tactical satellite communications system, MUOS provides significantly improved and secure communications capabilities, including simultaneous voice, video and data, for mobile and remote users. MUOS satellites are equipped with a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) payload that provides a 16-fold increase in transmission throughput over the current Ultra High Frequency (UHF) satellite system.

Lockheed Martin tailored a previously commercial waveform to be used with the new WCDMA payload. The U.S. government has made the waveform available for military satellite communications terminal providers through the Joint Tactical Networking Center (JTNC) Information Repository, and contractors can now integrate the waveform into their MUOS-compatible terminals to provide WCDMA capabilities for users.

“With the new WCDMA payload, MUOS is a game changer for the military worldwide,” said Iris Bombelyn, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Narrowband Communications mission area. “As our government and industry partners begin deploying new communications terminals, remote and mobile tactical users will be able to quickly and securely share video, data and voice communications critical to their safety and mission success.”

Each MUOS satellite also includes a legacy UHF payload that is fully compatible with the current UHF Follow-on system and legacy terminals. This dual-payload design ensures a smooth transition to the cutting-edge WCDMA technology while the UFO system is phased out.

The system is ready to provide full WCDMA capability to users. Other near-term milestones include the second MUOS satellite launch in July 2013, completion of on-orbit testing and check-out with the MUOS ground system and certification of terminals like HMS Manpack to use the MUOS waveform.

Lockheed Martin is currently under contract to deliver five MUOS satellites and the associated ground system to the U.S. Navy. Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Sunnyvale, California, is the MUOS prime contractor and system integrator. The Navy’s Program Executive Office for Space Systems, Chantilly, Virginia, and its Communications Satellite Program Office, San Diego, California, are responsible for the MUOS program.

For MUOS, Lockheed Martin is building on its proven record of providing progressively advanced spacecraft for protected, narrowband and wideband military satellite communications. Lockheed Martin built the legacy Milstar protected communications satellites, as well as the Defense Satellite Communications Systems (DSCS) wideband communications spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force.