The US has awarded Virginia-based SES Space & Defense a $3.6-million contract for management services of the army’s satellite communications (SATCOM) infrastructure.
The deal will leverage, tailor, and streamline commercially leased SATCOM network services to address the military’s evolving mission requirements.
Tasks involve “turnkey, end-to-end” managed subscription services that connect the US Army’s SATCOM capability across five locations under the US Northern Command, US European Command, and US Indo-Pacific Command areas of operations.
It will also incorporate Service Level Agreements, including “committed information rates” and service flexibility across service areas.
Additionally, SES will utilize its Network Operations and Security Center and Communications Technology Portal to sustain 24×7 global support for US Army users.
SATCOM as a Managed Service Model
The US Army noted on the initial SATCOM as a Managed Service (SaaMS) project in 2023 that the framework and its commercial elements promote a cost-effective approach to operating satellite networks.
It also reduces resource burdens, equipment obsolescence, and other related challenges compared to in-house fielding, upkeep, and upgrading equipment.
Work for the contract will be conducted by DRS Global Enterprise Solutions, a satellite and terrestrial network provider acquired by SES from Leonardo in 2022.
“The SaaMS…is a great opportunity for SES Space & Defense to continue to support our Army customers leveraging a true multi-orbit strategy and multi-band satellite fleet,” SES Space & Defense President & CEO David Fields commented on the recent contract.
“This initiative will further advance the SaaMS service model, enabling the US Army to seamlessly acquire industry equipment and bandwidth to carry out mission success with the integration of new technology.”