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Paradigm team selected for Skynet 5
- Providing Secure Satellite Communication Services well into the 21st Century
- Astrium to Build Satellite System
Paradigm Secure Communications has been selected as Preferred Bidder by the UK MOD for Skynet 5, for the first time delivering secure global military satellite communications (milsatcoms) to the UK armed forces in the form of a service provision contract. Worth around £2 billion over two decades, this service will be procured under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI).
Paradigm Secure Communications has the full backing and support of its parent companies BAE SYSTEMS and EADS. Astrium, Europe's largest space company, will supply the satellite and ground system. The Paradigm team consists of industry leaders within the communications field including Logica, General Dynamics Decision Systems (formerly Motorola IISG), Cogent DSN, Serco, Cable & Wireless and SEA; with support from Stratos for Inmarsat services.
Hilary Mathews, Managing Director Paradigm Secure Communications said today "This is both a landmark for Paradigm and the right decision for UK industry. We are delighted by the MOD's selection which is a testament to both the quality and technical excellence of the Paradigm bid and the outstanding work carried out by everyone in the Paradigm team. We will now ensure that everything is in place for contract signature later this year."
With the diverse range of military operations and the information required in today's digital battlespace, milsatcoms are playing an increasingly important role in providing and sharing instantaneous voice, video and data between ground, sea and air platforms.
The Skynet 5 contract calls for Paradigm to deliver milsatcoms initially through the transfer of ownership and operation of the existing Skynet 4 infrastructure and then by incorporating new Skynet 5 satellites and associated ground segment from the middle of this decade.
By choosing this highly flexible and cost effective service provision solution, the MOD will retain guaranteed, secure milsatcoms whenever and wherever required, eliminating the risks of managing the space system and benefiting from evolving technologies and increasing capacity.
Supported by the UK Defence Export Services Organisation (DESO) and within a gain-sharing framework with the MOD, Paradigm will offer the same levels of service and security to other governments and organisations, e.g. NATO, some of whom, due to the prohibitive costs, may previously have been unable to acquire these capabilities.
The Paradigm team has demonstrated its ability to deliver services to military customers through its Project WELCOME welfare communications service contract with the UK MOD, which has been proven around the world including the Balkans, Oman, Afghanistan and Royal Navy ships.
Paradigm Secure Communications will become a joint venture between BAE SYSTEMS and EADS, European Aeronautic Defence and Space company, two of the world leaders in the aerospace industry, who look forward to working together on this and other future programmes to deliver military communications services.
 Astrium and Skynet 5
Under contract to Paradigm, Astrium is responsible for the replacement of the existing Skynet 4 ground and space assets by a new, integrated Skynet 5 system. Having supported the Skynet 5 programme from its outset, including various concept studies carried out over the past 5 years, the selection of the Paradigm team will have a considerable impact on Astrium and its people.
"This is a significant announcement as it means that unique skills are retained within the UK. This programme will consolidate our UK operations and reinforce our position as Astrium's Centre of Excellence for military satellite communications. Hundreds of jobs will be safeguarded and created at our Stevenage, Portsmouth and Poynton sites," stated Chris Chant, Managing Director, Astrium Ltd.
In order to deliver this service, Paradigm will build on Astrium's heritage in satcoms and will base the Skynet 5 solution on the highly developed Eurostar 3000 satellite bus and its expertise in military communications spacecraft payloads and ground terminals.
Astrium is Europe's leading space company and has vast experience in the design and manufacture of leading-edge spacecraft systems and their associated ground segment. As supplier of the UK and NATO's existing Skynet 4 satellites, Astrium was undoubtedly well placed to continue supporting the MOD's milsatcoms requirements of the future. The Skynet 5 multimedia spacecraft will be based on the proven Eurostar satellite bus family, which has been used for over 30 communications satellites, already provided by Astrium to customers worldwide.
M. Antoine Bouvier, CEO of Astrium said, "We are extremely pleased that the UK MOD has selected Paradigm for this prestigious programme which is excellent news for Astrium and all the Paradigm partners. This secures Astrium's position as a world leader in the provision of military satellite systems and reinforces the success of our Eurostar 3000 spacecraft."
Astrium is currently building the largest telecommunications satellites for Intelsat, Inmarsat, Eutelsat and Hispasat. In Earth observation and surveillance, Astrium is also a world leader, providing the SPOT series of optical imaging satellites, the Helios hi-resolution surveillance satellites and the Metop meteorological spacecraft for Eumetsat. Due for launch within the next few weeks is Europe's largest satellite, the Astrium-built Envisat to be used for environmental monitoring of the Earth. Astrium is also prime contractor for the Mars Express Satellite and its Beagle 2 Mars lander for the European Space Agency (ESA).
Astrium is a joint venture owned 75% by EADS, European Aeronautic Defence and Space company and 25% by BAE SYSTEMS. In 2000 Astrium had a combined turnover of over £1.25 billion, covering science and Earth observation, military observation and communications, telecommunications, navigation and ground systems, launchers and orbital infrastructure. The Company employs over 8,000 people in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Spain.
For further information, please contact:
ASTRIUM (UK) Alistair SCOTT +44 (0)1438 773698
ASTRIUM (Corporate) Rémi ROLAND +33 (0)134 88 35 78
paradigmsecure.com www.astrium-space.com
The following hi-resolution images are available on the paradigmsecure.com website:
- Skynet 5 in orbit
- Hilary Mathews, Managing Director, Paradigm Secure Communications
- Astrium's hi-tech facilities at Portsmouth
- Paradigm's Project WELCOME welfare communications service, in operation in Oman
Cogent DSN and Skynet 5
 Cogent Defence & Security Networks Ltd (Cogent) has successfully delivered key communications programmes to the UK MOD such as LDCN, RTTS, DLAN, POLYGON, RODIN, CFTS, DIGIFITS and are currently working on Cormorant, CIRCE, Hourglass, BOWMAN security, GKM and the FALCON study, to name but a few. In addition Cogent supported the UK Military deployment to OMAN last year for Exercise Saif Sareea II by creating and supporting the core communications network. Cogent brings all of this communications experience and expertise to the Paradigm team for the delivery of the UK's next generation Skynet 5 military satellite communications service. Cogent will provide network baseband and cryptographic equipment, and support system integration.
Cogent operates as the UK Business Area of EADS Defence & Security Networks (EDSN). It is a world leader in supplying communication systems to support military, peacekeeping and civil operations. Based at Newport in South Wales, 500 staff design, develop and deliver innovative communications solutions worldwide.
EDSN is a leading player in the development of voice and data infrastructure networks for the armed forces of both France and Germany and is a world leader in the field of secure digital radio networks, with 56 networks deployed and in operation in 28 countries, including 13 European countries.
EDSN is owned 59% by EADS, European Aeronautic Defence and Space company and 41% by Nortel Networks (41%), the world leader in High Performance Internet networks. In 2000, EDSN generated pro forma revenues of around EUR 320 million, with nearly 1,400 employees.
Contact: Mike Greenway Tel: +44 (0)1633 292024
General Dynamics Decision Systems and Skynet 5
 General Dynamics Decision Systems (formerly Motorola Integrated Information Systems Group), operating from its United Kingdom facility, was selected as a valued partner due to its 45 years of experience as a space communication sub-systems and space payload electronics supplier.
General Dynamics will be responsible for the customer care and product management areas on the Skynet 5 programme. It will maintain oversight of Call Centre operations, which will include staffing, process definition, customer care representative training, and ensuring support of all Paradigm services for Skynet 5. General Dynamics will also help Paradigm to define the services and manage the integration and life cycle of all their service components as well as partake in the development of third party and service enhancement opportunities.
Currently, General Dynamics Decision Systems is providing situational awareness capabilities to the Ministry of Defence including ground stations and software for the Airborne Stand-Off Radar programme (ASTOR).
Contact: John Winstanley
Tel: +44 (0)1753 500143
Logica and Skynet 5
 Skynet 5 service operations and support will be dependant on software provided by Logica. As the prime contractor for the Skynet 5 software, Logica is combining its extensive Commercial and Defence expertise to undertake the development and operations of the Skynet Management System. This will enable Paradigm to take on and manage the current Skynet 4 infrastructure and to enhance these with the introduction of the new Skynet 5 services.
Logica's leading role as a software supplier to over 200 of the world's telecommunications companies, coupled with its 30 year history of services to MOD, will ensure that Skynet 5 benefits from the latest in telecommunication service applications and that software risks are controlled with a full understanding of defence operational implications.
Logica has a broad customer base covering a wide range of market sectors including government, space, telecommunications, computing & electronics, finance, energy, utilities, transport and distribution. Logica leads the telecommunications industry with its integrated systems and network management solutions which include intelligent CRM, integrated provisioning and ERP.
The company has over 11,500 staff in 34 countries worldwide. Founded in 1969, Logica is listed on the London Stock Exchange where it is part of the FTSE100 index of the largest UK listed companies. More information can be found at www.logica.com.
Contact: Jennifer Peters
Tel: 02074464615
Serco and Skynet 5
 Serco has been an integral part of the Paradigm team since the award of the PFI Study Contract to Astrium and will provide Network and Facilities Management Services to the Skynet 5 programme. This will include Spacecraft and Network Operations, Network Maintenance, Training, Supply Management and Through Life Buildings & Facilities Maintenance.
Serco is an international provider of management services to government and industry. It provides task management, operational and logistical support services to the UK Ministry of Defence, to NATO defence forces, the United States Department of Defense, Canadian Department of National Defense, merchant marine and related sectors across 120 locations around the world.
Serco employs more than 32,500 people, dedicated to providing its customers with high quality, cost effective services. Central to Serco's approach are life-cycle value for money, customer satisfaction, consistent performance and long-term commitment, which have led to partnerships with military customers stretching back 40 years and the retention of 90% of its defence contracts on re-tender.
Contact: Katherine Padden
Tel +44 (0)1256 745914
Cable & Wireless and Skynet 5
 Cable & Wireless will provide Paradigm with tailored communications solutions to fulfill the requirements of the Skynet 5 programme. These national and international solutions will include satellite, VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) and bandwidth services.
Cable & Wireless is a major global telecommunications business with revenue of over £8 billion (US$11 billion) in the year to 31 March 2001 and customers in 70 countries and consists of two core and complementary divisions: Cable & Wireless Regional and Cable & Wireless Global. Cable & Wireless Regional offers a full range of telecommunications services in 27 countries around the world. Cable & Wireless Global's focus for future growth is on IP (internet protocol) and data services and solutions for business customers. It is developing advanced IP networks and value-added services in the US, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region in support of this strategy. With the capability of its global IP infrastructure and its financial strength, Cable & Wireless holds a unique position in terms of global coverage and services to business customers.
For more information about Cable & Wireless, go to www.cw.com
Contact: David Thain
Tel +44 (0) 20 7315 2977
SEA and Skynet 5
 Systems Engineering & Assessment Ltd (SEA) is an independent, employee owned, systems development house and technical consultancy. SEA is classed as an SME employing 200 staff and with an annual turnover in excess of £10M. SEA has provided requirements engineering support, space flight hardware and software development and ground support equipment development to a number of European customers.
The selection of the Paradigm team will have a significant impact on SEA, enabling continued growth by securing current and future jobs. Skynet 5 will provide SEA with the opportunity to provide key skills in systems requirements management, space flight hardware development and ground segment development. SEA will also be providing training support and human factors task analysis.
For more information about SEA, go to www.sea.co.uk.
Contact: Nigel Towers
Tel +44 (0)1179 375 233
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