US-based satellite communications provider UltiSat has received a COMSATCOM Transponded Capacity (CTC) task order from the Defense Information Systems Agency Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DISA-DITCO).
Under the contract which is valued at more than $9m, UltiSat will provide Ku bandwidth capacity to the US Global Vigilance Combined Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) near Palmdale, California.
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The services will support the Global Hawk (GH) unmanned air vehicle (UAV) during flight tests.
The company will manage GH Ku-band earth terminals associated with the GH Mission Control Element, which may be located at any of several locations in California.
UltiSat government solutions senior vice-president Amy R. B. Gwinn said: "We are excited to continue our support to the Global Hawk Program.
"These highly capable platforms support forces in worldwide military operations to enhance the mission and protect personnel.
"UltiSat is dedicated to delivering services that exceed the most demanding requirements.
"We stand fully committed as DISA’s partner to bring reliable network services anywhere and anytime to enable customer capabilities."
Earlier in March, the company received a similar $4m order from DISA-DITCO to provide Ku bandwidth capacity to the US Pacific Command (USPACOM) to support GH UAV operations and training.
UltiSat will support GH Ku-band earth terminals and Tri-band Tactical Field Terminals (TTFT) located at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan as well as a GH UAV based at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB), Guam.
Both the task orders form part of the Future COMSATCOM Services Acquisition (FCSA) Schedule 70 contract vehicle.
UltiSat supports the US government and federal agencies by providing secure managed network solutions.
The company offers a wide range of solutions for the Airborne ISR and COTM markets and delivers network management for manned and unmanned fixed wing and rotary wing platforms.
Image: Two Global Hawk (GH) unmanned air vehicles (UAV). Photo: courtesy of UltiSat.
