Satellite communications (SATCOM) experts at the Raytheon Co. will provide the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australian navies with high-speed SATCOM antennas for submarines under terms of a $25.8 million order. Officials of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in San Diego are asking the Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems segment in Marlborough, Mass., to provide six Submarine High Data Rate (Sub HDR) antenna systems. The Sub HDR antennas provide submarines with high-capacity communications in the extremely high frequency (EHF) and super high frequency (SHF) SATCOM bands and enable reception of Global Broadcast Service messages. The Sub HDR connects submariners to the above-sea world by giving them high-data-rate, multi-band SATCOM capability. Submariners deploy Sub HDR by raising a mast-mounted antenna above the ocean’s surface, while the submarine remains submerged at periscope depth where the boat is difficult to detect. The system can send and receive mission-critical information, such as secure wideband multimedia, voice and data traffic, imagery, and video teleconferencing. Sub HDR enables underwater forces to participate in coordinated fleet battle group operations.
