Airbus to continue operating German military communication satellite

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has awarded a contract worth €145m to Airbus to continue operating the German military communication satellites.

Under the terms of the agreement, the company will continue to operate the SATCOMBw secure satellite communications system for a period of seven-and-a-half years.

The contract coves provision for the in-orbit operation of the military COMSATBw1 and COMSATBw 2 satellites.

Additionally, it includes the operation of their teleport and associated networks in Weilheim, Germany.

Airbus Defence and Space SATCOMBW programme head Stefan Gramolla said: "We are proud to support German Armed Forces for its worldwide missions and to keep managing the operation after our successful delivery of the SATCOMBw system."

The COMSATBw-1 and COMSATBw-2 function along with military UHF and X-band plus to provide additional capacity in C and Ku-band the German military.

The SATCOMBw programme aims at providing a secure ground communications network and control system for use by units on deployed missions.

The first satellite of the programme was launched in 2009, the second in 2010 and Airbus had served as the prime contractor for both the satellites, by providing system design, integration and delivery of a fully operational capability.

Additionally, the company has delivered more than 500 ground terminals for the programme.

Image: Satellites in a field. Photo: © Airbus Defence and Space.