SATCOMBw: Satellite Communications for the German Armed Forces

* EADS SPACE Services Offers One-stop Solutions
* System Scheduled for Launch in 2006

ILA/Berlin, Friedrichshafen, 10 May 2004

In today’s military global operations, an appropriate, efficient, rapid, secure communications capability is of paramount importance for national security, the backbone of strategic command infrastructure. In response to a Request for Proposal by the German MoD (Deutsche Bundeswehr) for provision of military communications capacity, EADS SPACE Services GmbH of Munich has brought together an outstanding team to bid for the contract, called SATCOMBw Stage 2.

SATCOMBw Step 2 calls for a complete military Satellite Communication system under full Armed Forces control. It comprises a fleet of Satellites and a number of tactical and strategic ground stations as well as a network control system and the expansion of the existing ground segment. The system is due to be implemented incrementally from 2005 with full operability beginning 2008

The vast combined expertise of EADS Space Services and bid team partners high-end satellite communication networks specialist ND SatCom and Europe’s leading satellite manufacturer EADS Astrium make them the perfect answer for the SATCOMBw Stage 2 project. Each of them brings excellence in their sector and together displays the full range of skills required for successful and efficient completion.

The bidding phase for SATCOMBw, Stage 2 has already been completed. For the first time, the military commanders wish to have their own system; the ground stations of the previous Levels 0 and 1 were operated with leased capacities. This new satellite-based communication system will considerably enhance the strategic and tactical communication between both the home country and the mission areas and within the mission area. The complete spectrum of IT networks covering voice, fax, data, as well as video and multimedia applications is thus opening to the Federal Armed Forces at any site within and outside Germany.

The system ensures data transmission between vehicles, ships, aircraft, as well as fixed and mobile terminals and is specifically tailored to the increasing out-of-area missions of the Bundeswehr.

Under the leadership of EADS Space Services, EADS Astrium is responsible for in-orbit satellite delivery and ND SatCom Defence, the Friedrichshafen-based network specialist, for further development of the available ground infrastructure.

The satellites, offered under the leadership of EADS Astrium, are based on a proven satellite platform, developed and built in Europe. Satellite subsystems and the payload are being integrated at EADS Astrium in Ottobrunn in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Armed Forces.

EADS Astrium is a major supplier of military space systems and, in addition to the provision of overall architecture, it mainly develops concepts for satellites, as well as payload and ground networks for future generations of reliable communication systems. In Germany, in the field of communication satellites, subsystems and components are manufactured for the communications electronics and test facilities are operated for transmit and receive antennas.

The industrial team proposed an integrated solution to the Bundeswehr, with full responsibility for system functionality, transparency and customer access, a high degree of German industrial involvement, seamless integration and upgrading of existing ground assets, state-of-the-art connectivity to the system´s users

EADS SPACE Services is committed to providing and developing satellite services in the area of telecommunications and navigation.

EADS Astrium is Europe’s leading satellite system specialist. Its activities cover complete civil and military telecommunications and Earth observation systems, science and navigation programmes, and all spacecraft avionics and equipment. Both companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of EADS SPACE, which is dedicated to providing civil and defense space systems. In 2003 EADS SPACE had a turnover of € 2.4 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of € 30.1 billion and employed a workforce of more than 100,000.

Munich, May 2004/04016

Press contact:
Rémi ROLAND
EADS SPACE (FR)
Tel.: +33 (0) 1 34 88 35 78

Alistair SCOTT
EADS SPACE (UK)
Tel.: +44 (0) 1438 77 3698

Mathias PIKELJ
EADS SPACE (GER)
Tel.: +49 (0) 7545 8 91 23