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Defence contracts

Iridium Communications Awarded $30 Million Research Contract for Experimental Payload

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Iridium Communications Inc., a satellite communications company, has been awarded a research and development contract worth up to $30 million by the United States Army to develop a payload for navigation systems, guidance, and control of the global positioning system (GPS) and GPS-denied precision systems. This contract aims to develop a rapidly deployable smallsat constellation to provide more effective sensor-to-soldier data transmission when in the field. The development of the new payload is based on Iridium Burst technology, which enables the transmission of data to millions of enabled devices at a time from space.

Key Takeaways:

  • The contract is worth up to $30 million and aims to develop a payload for navigation systems, guidance, and control of GPS and GPS-denied precision systems.
  • The Army intends to develop a rapidly deployable smallsat constellation to provide more effective sensor-to-soldier data transmission when in the field.
  • The development of the new payload is based on Iridium Burst technology, which enables the transmission of data to millions of enabled devices at a time from space.
  • Iridium partners Satelles and SEAKR will bring their expertise as subcontractors to assist with development.
  • Iridium has a long history of collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, with hundreds of thousands of U.S. government subscribers using Iridium services.
  • The contract was enabled through an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) in support of the Army and was entered into between Advanced Technology International (ATI) and Iridium under the authority of the Aviation and Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC).
  • Iridium has been focused on providing innovative, reliable, and high-value services to the U.S. warfighter, and this program aims to enhance warfighter readiness.

Statistics:

  • $30 million: The value of the research and development contract awarded to Iridium Communications.
  • Hundreds of thousands: The number of U.S. government subscribers using Iridium services.
  • 20 years: The duration of the partnership between the U.S. Department of Defense and Iridium.
  • Millions: The number of enabled devices that can receive data from the Iridium Burst technology.

Sources:

  • "Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) has been awarded a research and development contract worth up to $30 million..." [Source: Global Data Point, 2021]
  • "The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Iridium have partnered for more than 20 years..." [Source: Global Data Point, 2021]
  • "Iridium partners Satelles and SEAKR will bring their expertise as subcontractors to assist with development." [Source: Global Data Point, 2021]
  • "This research and development project was enabled through an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) in support of the Army and was entered into between Advanced Technology International (ATI) and Iridium under the authority of the Aviation and Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC)." [Source: Global Data Point, 2021]

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