The contract forms part of the Turkish Navy’s eight to ten ship MILGEM programme, with a current order for two of Astrium’s Mini-SCOT terminals and associated below deck equipment. Aselsan, as the prime contractor for the MILGEM satcom suite, is responsible for the system design and software development of the naval terminals as well as the software development for the terminals control station. Aselan also has responsibility for.the assembly, integration and test of the terminals and the installation, acceptance, onboard testing and overall system delivery.
These will operate over the acclaimed Astrium Secure Satcom Systems and Aselsan supplied Turkish Military Satellite Communications System (TMSCS). Aselsan and Astrium have previously supplied 16 sets of GEMI shipborne terminals for the Meko and Perry Class ships under the TMSCS project.
TMSCS is a turnkey satellite communications solution for the Turkish Ministry of Defence. Working in conjunction with the Turkish Armed Forces Integrated Communications System (TAFICS), TMSCS provides the military satcom ground infrastructure, enabling a fully integrated tri-services communications network. MILGEM2 will gain access to this infrastructure with the provision of full communication services including voice, data and imagery transmission.
The MILGEM2 equipment will be delivered during 2010 and continues to increase indigenous capability through the very successful technology transfer programme. Working with Aselsan, Astrium’s Secure Satcom Systems are totally committed to support the future MILGEM programmes and will continue to deliver capability to the Turkish Armed Forces through SSM.
Astrium Services offers a complete range of satellite communications solutions for both government and commercial markets. Prime systems integration and design and manufacturing expertise, covers end to end satellite systems, land, sea and airborne terminals, networked solutions and extensive through life support capability. Astrium’s subsidiaries Paradigm in the UK and MilSatServices in Germany provide end-to-end SATCOM services to government and military customers.
Astrium, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2008, Astrium had a turnover of €4.3 billion and 13,000 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 Astrium Services for the development and delivery of satellite services and ground systems.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2008, EADS generated revenues of €43.3 billion and employed a workforce of more than 118, 000.