BAE Systems Australia has secured a new order to upgrade the maritime satellite communications terminals for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The four-year, $30m deal will see BAE deliver the maritime element of the advanced SATCOM terrestrial infrastructure system (MASTIS) upgrade in order to provide the RAN with a major capability enhancement in its operations and life at sea.

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The scope for MASTIS modernisation involves the delivery of vastly increased bandwidth that will offer enhanced and efficient usage of defence satellite capacity, as well as improved network interoperability between naval vessels, aircraft and land-based platforms.

MASTIS terminals feature two antennas capable of transmitting and receiving in X and Ka-bands simultaneously and can also connect to two different satellites at the same time.

"MASTIS terminals feature two antennas capable of transmitting and receiving in X and Ka-bands simultaneously and can also connect to two different satellites at the same time."

The dual-band, dual-antenna approach will offer advanced satellite communications (SATCOM) capability to the Australian Navy and will also help increase the vessel’s data storage and transfer abilities significantly, even under heavy interference conditions.

BAE Systems Australia chief executive Glynn Phillips said: “The upgrade will provide the RAN with a capability edge that will significantly improve its ability to keep our nation safe by providing the very latest in satellite communications interoperability.”

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MASTIS terminals are deployed in three variants across the RAN fleet, including the dual antenna model installed on landing helicopter dock vessels and air warfare destroyers.

The upgrade will support the Australian Navy’s entire in-service MASTIS fleet of 17 ship-fitted systems and one training suite, and is to be carried out at the company facilities at Edinburgh Parks, South Australia, and North Ryde, Sydney.

Image: BAE Systems Australia wins $30m SATCOM upgrade contract from the RAN. Photo: courtesy of BAE Systems.

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