Under the terms of the contract, Intelsat General, the government services unit of Intelsat Ltd., will provide DRS Technologies with a package of managed services that include space segment, ground stations, fiber connectivity and terrestrial equipment for the high data rate X-band link. DRS Technologies, based in Parsippany, NJ, is a leading supplier of integrated products, services and support to military forces, intelligence agencies and prime commercial contractors worldwide.

The initial one-year contract has a value of $6.5 million and, if all options are exercised, will be valued at $48 million over three years. Paradigm, a wholly owned subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), was established specifically to provide protected and survivable satellite communication services to the UK Ministry of Defence worldwide.

“Our strong presence in the Middle East, coupled with the technical expertise of Intelsat General, will allow us to bring a range of X-band communications services to the clients we serve,” said Dr. Mitchell Rambler, President of the Technical Services Segment of DRS.

William Shernit, president of Intelsat General, said the agreement marks the first time Paradigm has agreed to sell X-band capacity to a U.S. customer. “The latest generation of the Skynet fleet of satellites leveraging on board array technology for beam shaping, anti-jam and space-based interference geo-location offers a unique opportunity for NATO governments and their military forces worldwide,” said Shernit.

“Being able to offer our Skynet capacity to U.S.-based customers is another major step forward for Paradigm,” said Eric Beranger, CEO of the Astrium Services division of EADS. “With the most powerful X-band capability in orbit, our Skynet 5 satellites will extend the coverage and range of military satellite communications services available to government customers worldwide.”

François Auque, CEO of Astrium, said: "Completing the Skynet 5 fleet with the successful launch of Skynet 5C is a remarkable milestone and I congratulate the combined teams across Astrium. We are already providing significantly enhanced services to the UK Ministry of Defence with Skynet satellites 5A and 5B, through our subsidiary Paradigm, and Skynet 5C is the pinnacle achievement for this programme.

"It’s a triple success for Astrium. As prime contractor for the launcher Ariane 5, for the satellites, and also for the services provided, we have proved that Astrium is well and truly capable of providing a world-class secure military communications system from start to finish."

Malcolm Peto, Managing Director of Paradigm said: "The Skynet 5 programme has been carefully planned for more than 10 years with meticulous detail given to delivering the best possible milsatcom services to the UK Ministry of Defence. This latest success will ensure we continue to provide our customers with nothing but the best – and I would like to thank all the individuals who contributed to this fantastic achievement."

Paradigm, part of Astrium Services, as owner and operator of the Skynet 5 system, is responsible for delivering secure communications services as part of a service provision contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) until 2020. Following the successful launches of Skynet 5A in March 2007 and Skynet 5B in November 2007, Paradigm is already providing enhanced secure services to the UK MoD.

Astrium Space Transportation is prime contractor for the Ariane 5 system, responsible for the delivery of fully integrated and tested launch vehicles to Arianespace.

Astrium Satellites is responsible for the Skynet 5 satellites and the complete communications system. Following launch, Skynet 5C, designed and built by Astrium Satellites, will now undergo a period of intensive in-orbit testing of both satellite and payload before moving to its operational position at 17.8°W.

Skynet 5C is the third satellite that completes the new constellation to meet the UK MoD’s milsatcoms requirements.

Following the successful launch at 22.05 GMT, Skynet 5C is currently in its low Earth orbit phase, which began with partial deployment of the solar panels. Skynet 5C will then reach its geostationary orbit, followed by the deployment of the UHF receivers and transmitters and a full testing programme will commence before the first operations begin.

The achievements of the Skynet 5 programme are underpinned by effective partnering between the MoD and industry. Paradigm, Astrium Satellites, Serco, Logica, EADS DS and the MoD have worked together to make the project a success for all the stakeholders.

Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2007, Astrium had a turnover of €3.5 billion and 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are 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.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of €39.1 billion and employed a workforce of more than 116, 000.

Kourou, 15 November 2007: Astrium has achieved a second triple challenge with the successful launch of the second Skynet 5 satellite - Skynet 5B – on 14 November from Kourou, French Guiana. François Auque, CEO of Astrium, said: "Progressing from the success of Skynet 5A, this marks another major milestone for Astrium with our latest triple challenge – building the Skynet 5 satellites, placing them in orbit on-board Ariane 5, and delivering a new era in secure military communications to the UK Ministry of Defence, in the form of a unique service provision approach." Malcolm Peto, Managing Director of Paradigm said: "This is the culmination of many years of co-operation between industry and the Ministry of Defence and will further enhance Paradigm's ability to deliver mission critical communications services to our deployed military customers, faster and better than ever.

"The best Armed Forces in the world deserve the best communications service. And that is what we provide with Skynet 5." Paradigm, part of Astrium Services, as owner and operator of the Skynet 5 system, is responsible for delivering secure communications services as part of a service provision contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) until 2020. Following the successful launch of Skynet 5A in March 2007 Paradigm is already providing secure services to the UK MoD. Astrium Space Transportation is prime contractor for the Ariane 5 system, responsible for the delivery of fully integrated and tested launch vehicles to Arianespace. Astrium Satellites is responsible for the Skynet 5 satellites and the complete communications system. Following launch, Skynet 5B, designed and built by Astrium Satellites, will now undergo a period of intensive in-orbit testing of both satellite and payload before moving to its operational position at 53°E. Initial transfer of services will commence in the coming weeks.

Skynet 5B is the second of three satellites that will form a new constellation to meet the UK MoD’s milsatcoms requirements - one of the three will be an in-orbit spare, to guard against satellite loss. Following the successful launch at 22.06 GMT last night, Skynet 5B is currently in its low Earth orbit phase, which began with partial deployment of the solar panels. Skynet 5B will then reach its geostationary orbit, followed by the deployment of the UHF receivers and transmitters and a full testing programme will commence before the first operations begin. This process will take around a month to complete. The achievements of the Skynet 5 programme are 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. 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 12,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are: Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and its wholly owned subsidiary Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite 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 Services has improved the current communications services by enabling families and friends to leave voicemail messages for service personnel who are on operations overseas.

Up to 10 messages per person, each of which can last up to two minutes, can be saved to individual accounts. The messages are charged by the second at a rate of 50 pence per minute, plus network extras, but the person receiving the messages is not charged for retrieving them. The voicemails can be saved for up to 60 days.

Recent trials of the new service have proved to be very popular with service personnel and provide a quick and easy way for family and friends to make contact with their loved ones.

The WELCOME (WELfare COMmunications Everywhere) package of services is a vital link for military personnel with friends and families back home. Paradigm's WELCOME services allows servicemen to make telephone calls and have access to the internet from operational theatres worldwide, as part of the MOD funded welfare package.

Project WELCOME is provided by Paradigm as part of the Skynet 5 PFI contract with the MoD. Paradigm has provided over a million hours of welfare telephone calls since Op Telic began and, provides internet and email services, that are free for use to all UK service personnel deployed on operations overseas.

Paradigm Services has a well-established relationship with the UK MoD and has been fulfilling the requirements of the welfare communications service for troops on 'entitled operations' overseas since April 2000.

Malcolm Peto, Managing Director of Paradigm said:"We have a clear focus on our military customers and are proud to be able to provide vital Welfare communications for British Forces. This is just one more example of Paradigm's ability to deliver capability anywhere, anytime".

Skynet 5 is the groundbreaking next generation military satellite communications programme and will provide end-to-end, tariff based, resilient, secure Beyond Line of Site communications services, including Welfare, to the UK MoD and other non-UK MoD 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, which is wholly owned by Astrium, a subsidiary of EADS, European Aeronautic Defence and Space company.

The MoD contract, which is now worth £3.6bn was placed with Paradigm on 24th October 2003. It is the UK MoD's largest and most complex PFI contract to date.

Stevenage, 8th September 2006 - Paradigm Secure Communications Ltd., a subsidiary of EADS SPACE, has today signed an export contract to deliver military satellite communications services to the Netherlands Ministry of Defence.

This contract forms the second part of a unique, two-phased approach where Paradigm provides managed secure communications services to the Netherlands MoD. The first phase, with an interim contract already in-place, gives the Netherlands MoD direct access to secure satellite communications over the Skynet 4 system, on an as-and-when required basis until the end of December 2006.

The second phase contract signed today runs from 1st January 2007, and will see full service provision provided using a combination of the existing Skynet 4 and the new Skynet 5 systems. Thanks to the state of the art performance of Skynet 5 and to the flexible approach, this will enhance the Netherlands MoD communications capability in remote areas, facilitate its role in national and allied operations, and enable cost-effective management of these resources.

The Netherlands MoD will be guaranteed an aggregate level of service, defined by the amount of data transferred, measured in Mbps, with the flexibility to increase the total throughput in the event of a change in requirements.

Malcolm Peto, Managing Director of Paradigm Secure Communications, said: "Whilst NATO has put a Memorandum of Understanding in place to gain access to Skynet 5, the Netherlands is the first nation to procure Skynet 5 era services, I believe this demonstrates the confidence that Paradigm is building within the MilSatCom community for providing state-of-the-art solutions for secure and survivable government communications at the highest levels of service assurance. Skynet 5 will offer unrivalled services in MilSatComs through the highest powered, most resilient X-band satellites yet launched. We are delighted to be able to offer the Netherlands MoD access to this increasingly important military resource."

Captain Hans van der Wal, Head of the Netherlands MilSatCom Project Team said: "In the overall provision of MilSatCom to the Netherlands Armed Forces, these contracted services in X-band are most essential. In the overall spectrum, these assured satellite communications will form the backbone means of communications for our deployed troops. Although the Royal Netherlands Navy has been using Paradigm's Skynet 4 services on her ships for several years, in our new MoD organisation, the overall MilSatCom capacity required for all armed services has been defined and aggregated.

It has been a long process to consider, phrase and communicate exactly what needs to be delivered and I am therefore very happy that we have achieved this framework contract with Paradigm today. A very substantial piece in the overall Netherlands MoD satcom jigsaw."

Three UK-based EADS companies, EADS Astrium, Paradigm Services and EADS Defence and Security Systems, are extremely proud to be cosponsors of the British Army’s Royal Corps of Signals 33,000 mile global sailing expedition, Mercury Challenge.

EADS is pleased to support the Mercury Challenge, which provides training and relationship development skills critical to achieving personal and career success.

Setting sail from the Joint Services Adventure Sail Training Centre (JSASTC) in Gosport, the Challenge 67 yacht Adventure will visit some of the world’s most spectacular ports as well as rounding the Cape of Good Hope and the notorious Cape Horn. The yacht’s 14-strong crew will also participate in many of the world’s best known competitions including the Rolex Sydney to Hobart Race on Boxing Day later this year and the Antigua Race Week in April 2007.

During the eleven month-long voyage the combined crew will involve up to 140 servicemen and women almost exclusively from the Royal Signals. The regiment traditionally responsible for providing communications for the British Army will be able to receive and transmit crucial voice and data information using satellite communications provided jointly by EADS and Selex. As part of these communications each crew member will also be able to communicate with friends and family via satellite phone using the Paradigm WelComE (WELfare COMmunications Everywhere) network.

The EADS companies are all experts in the provision of communications for defence and global security customers in the UK as well as overseas.

For more information on the Mercury Challenge expedition, please visit www.mercurychallenge.mod.uk .

10 June 2006, Portsmouth: In preparation for England’s eagerly-awaited first game today in the FIFA World Cup, EADS Astrium and Paradigm Services have, at the request of the Royal Navy, increased the capacity of their TOMS (Television Over Military Satellite) service to ensure that those on board Royal Navy vessels within the coverage area of Skynet 4, can enjoy live high-quality coverage of the matches.

The combined capabilities of these two EADS SPACE companies enable the World Cup games to be transmitted from EADS Astrium’s Portsmouth-based control centre over the Paradigm-owned and operated UK military Skynet 4 satellites.

The TOMS broadcast service, which is installed onboard all of the Royal Navy’s SCOT-equipped ships, allows the broadcast of recreational television and news services, with programmes provided by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS). Typically TOMS operates at a “normal” image quality rate, but, following the UK Ministry of Defence’s procurement of increased satellite bandwidth from Paradigm for the duration of the World Cup, the service has been upgraded to a “high” image quality, allowing normal TV-quality footage to be viewed.

One of the ships to benefit from this extra service is the Royal Navy’s Flagship HMS ILLUSTRIOUS, currently on overseas operations in the Indian Ocean. As a user of the enhanced TOMS ‘Media Backlink’ service, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS can transmit live reports to television news rooms, including the BBC and Sky News, to cover stories such as its current efforts in the fight against piracy off the coast of Africa.

The ceremony was also attended by a number of high-level dignitaries including Alan Bosley, Local Councillor for Corsham and François Auque, CEO EADS SPACE.

The building was successfully completed on time following the signing of a contract with Paradigm’s Skynet 5 partner, Serco, for the provision of a new operations support building on the Paradigm Services Hawthorn site in August 2005.

The new building at Paradigm's Main Operations Centre site at Hawthorn, Wiltshire, accommodates Paradigm Services and its subcontracted staff, together with DCSA (Defence Communications and Services Agency) SAT IPT (SATCOM Acquisition Team) staff managing the Skynet 5 PFI contract. The Hawthorn site, which houses Paradigm’s Network and Spacecraft Operations Centre, is located close to the DCSA Global Operations and Security Control Centre (GOSCC) at Corsham.

The SAT IPT has now successfully co-located 25 key team members alongside Paradigm’s existing staff at the new Hawthorn building to further integrate the joint team and will bring the total employed on site to 180, including those working 24/7.

Under the Skynet 5 PFI contract, system upgrades have been developed to enable remote control and monitoring of the Skynet ground stations located in Hampshire and Wiltshire. These upgrades have already enabled Network Operations functions to be transferred to the Main Operations Centre at Hawthorn.

It is anticipated that the new two-story building will be in operation for the remaining period of the Skynet 5 contract.

Malcolm Peto, Managing Director Paradigm Secure Communications said: ”The new building provides Paradigm with a flagship facility close to the DCSA GOSCC and allows collocation of Paradigm Operations personnel with the SAT IPT. The new network operation centre will enable us to build on the successes already achieved in the programme, by providing even more reliable and flexible services to UK Armed Forces worldwide.”

Rear Admiral Rees Ward, Chief Executive of the DCSA added, "This building, and more importantly the joint MoD and Paradigm team within it, underlies the importance of partnering for joint benefit. It contributes significantly to the DCSA's Vision of Industry/MoD partnering to deliver assured, integrated information services to the UK's Armed Forces".

The state-of-the-art Media Back-link Unit enhances the EADS Astrium TOMS (Television Over Military Satellites) system fitted to Royal Navy ships. Together they enable the Commanding Officer of a vessel to be interviewed live on television from the ship. The trial on board HMS Cumberland during her deployment to the western Atlantic and Caribbean is being supported by Paradigm Services which is providing additional military satellite capacity.

During HMS Cumberland's tour of duty she will be in a position to respond to calls for assistance during the hurricane season. Ships deployed to the Caribbean and western Atlantic also work in close cooperation with US and other national authorities in the war on drugs.

Royal Navy personnel from vessels on patrol are often the UK's first representatives in disaster areas or trouble spots providing vital assistance and support. The Royal Navy's contribution to humanitarian and disaster relief operations has, however, often been under-reported in a world which expects immediate, high quality picture news. The trials are demonstrating that any Royal Navy ship equipped with the system can have the capability to provide live broadcast-quality video from anywhere in the world. It is understood that the Royal Navy is delighted with the initial results.

The basic TOMS fit provides recreational television and news services for sailors on RN ships around the world, with programming by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS). Paradigm Services, as part of its Skynet 5 contract, provides secure global satellite communications to the Royal Navy along with the rest of the UK's Armed Forces. TOMS is a simple and cost effective additional service to the EADS Astrium shipborne communications system (SCOT), with over 150 SCOT systems procured by 11 navies worldwide. The TOMS system has also undergone successful trials over existing UK Armed Forces land terminals.

The contract will cover the design and build of the state-of-the-art operations building, which is due for completion in February 2006.

The new building at Paradigm's Main Operations Centre site at Hawthorn, Wiltshire, will accommodate Paradigm Services and its subcontracted staff, together with DCSA (Defence Communications and Services Agency) SAT IPT (SATCOM Acquisition Team) staff managing the Skynet 5 PFI contract. The Hawthorn site, which houses Paradigm’s Network and Spacecraft Operations Centre, is located close to the DCSA Global Operations and Security Control Centre (GOSCC) at Corsham.

The SAT IPT will co-locate 25 of its team alongside Paradigm’s existing staff at the new Hawthorn building to further integrate the team.

Under the Skynet 5 PFI contract, system upgrades have been developed to enable remote control and monitoring of the Skynet Ground Stations located in Hampshire and Wiltshire. These upgrades have already enabled Network Operations functions to be transferred to the Main Operations Centre at Hawthorn.

It is anticipated that the new two-story building will be in operation for the remaining period of the Skynet 5 contract and beyond, and will bring the total employed on site to 180. There are currently 50 people working on site.

Aidan Joy, Director of Network Operations said, "The contract award and go ahead for the new Operations support building marks another significant investment by Paradigm Services in the Skynet 5 programme. The new building will provide Paradigm with a flagship facility close to the DCSA GOSCC and will allow collocation of Paradigm Operations personnel with the SAT IPT. The Skynet 5 programme has already delivered many positive changes to the delivery of secure satellite communication services and this new building will allow us to further integrate the service delivery elements."

Andrew White, Chief Executive of Serco’s defence and aerospace business added, “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract which builds on our existing business with Paradigm Services. I believe Paradigm Services’ decision to choose Serco to design and build their new operations support centre confirms the trust and professionalism of our relationship and is further proof of our commitment to create long term partnerships with our customers.”