Airbus Defense and Space has signed a contract with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense to extend and upgrade the fleet of Skynet satellites. The contract includes the development, production, IT protection, assembly, integration, testing and launch of a military communications satellite called Skynet 6A, which is slated to launch in 2025. The contract covers also the technological development programs, the new secure telemetry, tracking and command systems, the launch, the tests in orbit and the updates of the ground segment of the current Skynet 5 system. The contract value is over 500 millions of pounds.
"Airbus is extremely proud to have won this important UK defense contract, thus continuing our long tradition as an end-to-end service provider for the UK's national military satellite communications (milsatcom). The manufacture of satellites , linked to support services, is an essential component of the UK government and space industry space strategy and this contract forms the basis of the leadership of the UK Ministry of Defense and British industry in this sector. of this military satellite, as it was for Skynet 5, will lead to significant export opportunities in the years to come, increasing jobs with high production value and supporting a diversified supply chain in this increasingly important sector "said Richard Franklin, Managing Director of Airbus Defense and Space UK.
"This 6A contract demonstrates the strong partnership we have with the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense, built on the success we have achieved together with the Skynet 5 system since 2003. Airbus is fully committed to providing world-class military communications services to our Armed Forces around the world, and is looking forward to handing over this change of capability to the UK Ministry of Defense "Richard Franklin continued.
"A new and more advanced satellite capability will provide ongoing communications support to the deployed forces of the United Kingdom for many years. British defense must continue to innovate and transform, particularly in cyber security and space. Investment in first-rate equipment class like this new Skynet satellite will keep us safe from the threats we face both now and in the future "Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said.
Since 2003, the Skynet 5 program, operated by Airbus, has provided the UK Ministry of Defense with a suite of highly powerful, reliable and secure military communications services to support global operations. Airbus has been involved in all phases of Skynet since 1974 and this phase is based on a strong British commitment to space production in the United Kingdom. The recent program started using the legacy Skynet 4 satellites and then upgraded them with a completely renewed ground network before launching the Skynet 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D satellites between 2007 and 2012.
The Skynet 5 program has reduced or eliminated many of the technical and service risks for the British Ministry of Defense, while ensuring the British Armed Forces innovation and unparalleled satellite communications security. Thanks to the many years of supply of the reliable Skynet service, Airbus teams have managed to significantly extend the life span of the Skynet satellites, well beyond the initial forecast, offering the United Kingdom significant added value in terms of costs. and ability.
The Skynet 6A satellite will be based on Airbus' Eurostar Neo telecommunications satellite platform. It will use a larger part of the radio frequency spectrum available for satellite communications and the latest digital processing to provide both greater capacity and greater versatility than Skynet 5 satellites. The satellite will be equipped with electric propulsion to increase the orbit and of electrical station maintenance systems for maximum cost efficiency. Full satellite integration will take place at Airbus facilities in the UK, followed by tests in the RAL Space test facilities at Harwell in Oxfordshire, thus supporting the UK Space Agency initiative for manufacturing and support for UK end-to-end satellites.
"Space technology plays an important role in supporting our armed forces and keeping us safe, while boosting the UK economy and enabling world-leading science and research. With this important investment in Skynet 6A, the development of the National Satellite Test Facility and the launch of a dedicated innovation program, we are creating new ambitions for the UK in space ", said Minister of Science Amanda Solloway.
The satellite will be launched in 2025 and will have a minimum life of 15 years. Its orbital position will be announced closer to the launch date.
