A victory for Airbus, after “
several years of effort
” and recognition of the excellence of European satellite technology.
Airbus Space, a subsidiary of the European giant, announced on Tuesday that it had been chosen by the Pentagon to supply the satellites for the first phase of Transport Layer, the future constellation of ultra-secure military connectivity for the American armies.
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This choice is materialized by the signing of a supply contract for 42 Arrow-type satellites with Northrop Grumann, which will supply the payload, on behalf of the American Space Development Agency.
The amount of the contract remains confidential, but involves tens of millions of dollars.
Airbus thus enters the closed club of American space defense suppliers.
"
Airbus is considered a trusted supplier by the Pentagon
", welcomes the European group. "
This contract highlights the vocation of Airbus US to develop and deliver, from the United States, essential technologies for the fighter American
," said Rob Geckle, CEO of Airbus Defense and Space in the United States.
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Airbus won this contract because the proposed satellite has already proven itself.
The Arrow modular platform, built in a factory in Florida, is the one that equips the OneWeb constellation.
Some 394 satellites are in orbit and 254 have yet to be delivered.
Airbus will also assemble the satellites ordered by the Pentagon there.
It will also provide integration, testing and go-live support.
The Pentagon wants to free itself from commercial constellations – it has signed agreements with Starlink, the infrastructure deployed by Elon Musk – likely to be hacked.
And to acquire an ultra-secure new-generation Internet communications network, with 126 satellites, in the long term.
