Global mobile satellite operator Inmarsat is providing its Global Xpress (GX) satellite service to the Australian Border Force (ABF).
Eight maritime vessels have recently been fitted with new Cobra-class satellite communications terminals, designed, developed and manufactured by EM Solutions that enable governments to augment the capacity they have on government-owned satellites with commercial satellites.
“As a result of this development we have already seen interest expressed by navies from around the world.”
The terminals, which will be used by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP), are specifically designed to provide reliable communications in even the most inhospitable maritime environments. The enhanced functionality will allow the DIBP to improve its surveillance capability and improve the speed at which it can transfer data as well as increasing its communication capacity.
President Inmarsat Global Government Andy Start said the contract ensured the DIBP would have the latest technology while allowing it to continue to leverage its existing government-owned communications satellites.
“Our broadband services and terminals augment and enhance what is possible for Australia’s border protection crews in order to keep them connected at all times.”
CEO of EM Solutions Dr Rowan Gilmore said the terminals are the first of their kind to operate on both the commercial Inmarsat Global Xpress satellite system as well as the military Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) satellite constellation, to provide more assured communications.
“As a result of this development we have already seen interest expressed by navies from around the world.”
He added the terminals could be engineered to meet the specifications and needs of a wide range of consumers.
Commander (Air and Marine) at DIBP Dave Luhrs said “at the operational level, the ability to switch between satellite systems enables our crew to prioritise their communications and ensures they are ‘always on’, which is of paramount importance when protecting our borders”.
As part of Inmarsat’s ongoing US$1.6 billion program commitment, a fourth Global Xpress satellite (I-5 F4) has completed construction and testing by Boeing in California, and is likely to be launched in mid-2017 in order to provide additional GX capacity.