Future satellite communications to military aircraft

Abstract

This paper outlines some of the techniques being developed to provide affordable, reliable satellite communications suitable for a wide range of military aircraft, from agile platforms such as fast jets and helicopters to surveillance, tanker and transport aircraft. It gives an overview of the development of airborne SHF and also extremely high frequency (EHF) satcom techniques and terminal demonstrators by the DERA (Defence Evaluation and Research Agency) and its partners through the Ministry of Defence's applied research programme. This research is aimed at providing affordable, secure and robust satcoms to a range of UK military aircraft.