Article Posted on : - Sep 07, 2011

The Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite. A Lockheed Martin photo.

SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA (BNS): Lockheed Martin has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing of the US Navy’s first Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) satellite.

A next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system, MUOS will provide significantly improved and assured communications for mobile warfighters, according to Lockheed Martin.

The MUOS will replace the current UHF system and provide 10 times more communications capability to the user, including simultaneous voice, video and data.

During the test conducted inside Lockheed Martin's Dual Entry Large Thermal Altitude chamber, the MUOS spacecraft was stressed in a vacuum environment at the extreme hot and cold temperatures it will experience throughout its design life.

The first MUOS satellite, along with the associated ground system, is on track to support launch in the first quarter of 2012, a company release said.