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Skynet 5A satellite enters full service in orbit Paradigm, a subsidiary of EADS Astrium, is marking a new era in global, secure satellite communications with Skynet 5A entering full service in orbit. ·Paradigm reaches new heights in providing global, secure satellite communicationsLondon, 10 May 2007 - Paradigm, a subsidiary of EADS Astrium, is marking a new era in global, secure satellite communications with Skynet 5A entering full service in orbit. Following its launch on an Ariane 5 launcher on 11 March from Kourou, French Guiana, Skynet 5A completed its comprehensive testing programme on schedule and is now in full service at its geostationary orbit position at 1° West. Skynet 5A is the first of three satellites that will form a new constellation to meet the UK MoD’s milsatcoms requirements until 2020. One of the three satellites will be an in-orbit spare, to guard against satellite loss. Skynet 5 is the groundbreaking next generation military satellite communications programme to provide end-to-end, resilient, secure Beyond Line of Site communications services, including welfare, to the UK MoD and other non-UK MoD and multinational customers until 2020. The programme provides delivery of information services between the UK’s Defence Fixed Network and in-theatre networks and users. Secure communications services will be delivered by the owner and operator - Paradigm Secure Communications with the system, including the satellites, designed and built by Astrium Satellites. Both companies are wholly owned by Astrium, a subsidiary of EADS, European Aeronautic Defence and Space company. The MoD contract, which is now worth £3.6 billion was placed with Paradigm in October 2003. It is the UK MoD’s largest and most complex PFI contract to date. The deal was restructured at the end of 2005 exploiting the opportunity of risk retirement and better financial conditions, resulting in the addition of a third satellite. The Skynet programme is underpinned by effective partnering between the MoD and industry. Paradigm, Astrium Satellites, Serco, LogicaCMG, EADS DS and the MoD have worked together to make the project a success for all the stakeholders. Skynet 5A is the first of a three satellite constellation heralding a new era in military communications and will be the highest power X-Band satellite in orbit. Built to support the most challenging missions Skynet 5A is nuclear and laser hardened to demanding NATO Standards. The world leading anti-jamming antenna is extremely effective against hostile or non-hostile interference. All transmit beams are steerable and the active antenna forms multiple complex receive beam patterns to maximise terminal performance. Paradigm will operate the latest state-of-the-art military X-Band satellites and an extensive ground infrastructure from sites in Wiltshire and Hampshire. In addition to complete X-Band packages, Paradigm is able to offer capacity, coverage augmentation, anchoring and back-haul services, as well as terminal leasing. Paradigm is currently providing services to support UK MoD operations and welfare in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Balkans. Welfare services include free messages between UK military personnel deployed on operations and their families at home. In addition, Paradigm is also providing services to NATO, France, Germany, Canada, Portugal and Netherlands. The full entry into service of Skynet 5A marks another key milestone achieved by Paradigm on the Skynet programme. Paradigm is already delivering mission critical services to military personnel, in an exemplary partnering environment. Malcolm Peto, Managing Director of Paradigm Secure Communications, said: “We are all very proud of this tremendous achievement. We have taken a concept and turned it into reality. Skynet 5A is the end of the beginning for this unique and highly complex programme. We intend to continually exceed the expectation of our military customers. We are entirely focussed on delivering high quality services to armed forces around the world, wherever and whenever they need them.” Editors Notes Paradigm Secure Communications has a contract worth around £3.6bn with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the provision of military satellite communications services to 2020, following restructuring of the contract at the end of 2005, to allow for placing a ‘spare’ satellite in orbit. The programme, procured as a Private Finance Initiative (PFI), will provide the next generation of UK Milsatcom capability. The Paradigm team, led by Paradigm Secure Communications, includes Astrium Satellites, the system designer and provider, and Paradigm Services Ltd for full services delivery. For further information visit paradigmsecure.com EADS Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2006, Astrium had a turnover of €3.2 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are: the business units Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, and Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and its wholly owned subsidiary Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite services. The Paradigm team is contained within Astrium Services. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of €39.4 billion and employed a workforce of more than 116, 000. Paradigm supplies a range of services internationally to defence and governmental users as well as multinational organisations. To date, Paradigm has signed agreements to provide resilient, secure military satellite services to various countries and organisations including NATO, the Portuguese Chief of Defence and the Canadian Department of National Defence. Paradigm is also able to access the full range of commercial satcom solutions and is now the definitive one stop shop for military satellite communications. Serco Serco has been an integral part of the Paradigm team for Skynet 5 since the award of the PFI Study Contract in 1999 and is a full member of the Enterprise. Serco provides spacecraft control, communications network management and facilities management services, including staff deployed in theatre in support of these services. In addition, Serco provides support to Paradigm's welfare communications services, for deployed forces in operational theatres around the world, enabling service men and women to maintain contact with home. Serco’s track record in the provision of such vital services started over 40 years ago when the government entrusted it to maintain the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System at RAF Fylingdales. From this landmark contract, the company has established a strong reputation in the defence and aerospace markets for reliability, innovation and successful long-term working partnerships. Serco is an international service company, which combines commercial know-how with a deep public service ethos. It improves services by managing people, processes, technology and assets more effectively. Serco’s people offer operational, management and consulting expertise in the aerospace, defence, health, home affairs, local government, nuclear, science, technology, transport and commercial sectors. LogicaCMG LogicaCMG has developed the fully integrated Operational and Business Support system for Skynet 5 containing over 1 million lines of code. These systems demonstrate how commercial technology is at the centre of the delivery of complex communications services to the UK Ministry of Defence. As the prime contractor for the Skynet 5 software, LogicaCMG combines its extensive commercial and defence expertise to undertake the development and operations of the Skynet management system. Now that the newly launched Skynet 5 satellite is operational, the LogicaCMG systems will allow Paradigm to plan, manage and deliver a wide range of communication services. LogicaCMG has worked with the MoD for nearly 40 years from the business to the Battlespace and is the European leader in military satellite communications ground systems. LogicaCMG is a major international force in IT services. It employs around 40,000 people across 41 countries. LogicaCMG’s focus is on enabling its customers to build and maintain leadership positions using LogicaCMG’s deep industry knowledge and its track record for successful delivery. The company provides business consulting, systems integration and IT and business process outsourcing across diverse markets including telecoms, financial services, energy and utilities, industry, distribution and transport and the public sector. More information is available from www.logicacmg.com/uk EADS Defence & Security A partner in the enterprise, EADS DS has delivered integral elements of the new system including design, development and supply or installation of the baseband network and encryption systems. Installed across 3 UK sites, 36 naval vessels and 44 deployable ground stations, the baseband network that EADS DS has developed comprises a number of bespoke solutions, customising off-the-shelf platforms, and incorporating specific developments, such as the Resilient Rate Adaptor (RRA) - that manages and prioritises the flow of communication through the system, and Baseband Element Management Application (BEMA) a configuration fault and performance reporting tool that supports automatic, rapid provision of service/links in response to controller demand. Three new encryption technologies were developed to ensure completely secure and robust communications and EADS DS achieved on time delivery as promised three years earlier. EADS Defence & Security (DS) is a system solutions provider. It combines military air systems, missile systems, communications and intelligence systems, global security solutions as well as sensor and avionics systems into a single effective network. With 2005 revenues of €5.6 billion, the Division employs 23,000. Contacts for the media: Astrium Remi ROLAND +33 (0) 1 77 75 80 37 Astrium (UK) Jeremy CLOSE +44 (0) 1438 77 38 72 Paradigm Emma Stanway +44 (0) 1249 85 3754 [email protected] |
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