Airbus Defence and Space has signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to extend the Skynet satellite fleet with Skynet 6A, supporting military communications systems.

Airbus wins milsatcom contract for Skynet 6AThe value of the contract for the new satellite is reported to be £500 million.

The agreement covers the development, manufacture, cyber protection, assembly, integration, test and launch, of a military communications satellite, Skynet 6A. It is planned for launch in 2025.

Airbus says the contract also covers “technology development programmes, new secure telemetry, tracking and command systems, launch, in-orbit testing and ground segment updates to the current Skynet 5 system”.

“Satellite manufacturing, linked to support services, is a critical component of the Government-industry UK space strategy,” said Richard Franklin, Airbus Defence and Space UK Managing Director, “and this contract underpins the UK MOD’s and industry’s lead position in this sector. Building this military satellite will, like Skynet 5, lead to significant export opportunities in the years ahead, growing high value manufacturing jobs and supporting a diverse supply chain in this increasingly important sector.”

“This contract for 6A demonstrates the strong working partnership we have with UK MOD, built on the success we have jointly achieved on the Skynet 5 system since 2003. Airbus is fully committed to delivering world-class military communications services to our Armed Forces across the globe, and look forward to delivering this step change in capability to the MOD.”

The satellite is due for launch in 2025, and will have a minimum design lifetime of 15 years, says Airbus.

Skynet 6A

The Skynet 6A satellite will be based on Airbus’ Eurostar Neo telecommunications satellite platform. It will provide both more capacity and greater versatility than Skynet 5 satellites, says the conpany.

The satellite will feature electric orbit raising propulsion as well as electric station keeping systems.

Complete satellite integration will take place at Airbus facilities in the UK followed by testing using RAL Space testing facilities at Harwell in Oxfordshire supporting the UK Space Agency initiative for sovereign UK end-to-end satellite production and support.

“A new, more advanced satellite capability will provide continued communications support to the UK deployed forces for many years,” said Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. “British defence must continue to innovate and transform, particularly in cyber and space. Investment in first-class equipment like this new Skynet satellite will keep us safe from the threats we face both now and in the future.”

Airbus has been involved in all Skynet phases since 1974. It recently announced its partnership with KBR, Leidos, Northrop Grumman and QinetiQ to work together for the next phase of proving secure milsatcoms for the UK government.