Optical inter-satellite links have been discussed optimistically across the NewSpace market for a few years now as one of those emergent makeor-break possibilities that haven’t quite charmed the breadth of the industry but promise enviable results on paper. As one of the few players invested in the rewards of taking the risk on new technology, Telesat and its Lightspeed project has certainly been one to watch. J.J. Shaw, Vice President of Information, Security and Operations for Telesat Government Solutions spoke to us at MilSatCom 2022 to discuss the system’s capability.

The energy crisis brought on by the ongoing situation in Ukraine has invited many conversations around the sustainability implications of geopolitical events and defense entities, even inviting conversations about
defense ESG (ethics, sustainability, and governance). Cvete Koneska, Head of Advisory at security intelligence firm Dragonfly has been fascinated by the evolving debates and was keen to discuss the future
sustainable and ethical landscape of the defense industry.

Intelsat, the largest provider of satellite capacity to the US government, is working with partners such as OneWeb, Microsoft, and other key industry players to build the nextgeneration unified network infrastructure needed to deliver resilient multi-layered connectivity everywhere. Dave Micha, President of Intelsat General Communications (IGC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Intelsat, which supports the US Department of Defense (DoD), the intelligence community, and global governments, discusses the importance of interoperability, 5G, and a multi-layered managed network approach to COMSATCOM.

After a healthy year, HUBER+SUHNER considers itself well-positioned to continue offering the aerospace and defence markets componentry with the paramount industry themes of longevity and sustainability in mind. Dr. Thomas Paul, VP / Market Manager for Aerospace, and Stefano Biagiotti, VP / Market Manager for Defence, discuss the company’s position.

Dominance of the undersea domain – the underwater battlespace – will be achieved by the side best able to
understand and exploit the environment and maintain superior situational awareness. Maintaining that network requires reliable and flexible data exchange.

For the defense industry, developments in drones and unmanned systems are moving forward at an increased pace —from relying on manual input and electrical control to progressively autonomous operations. As Advanced Air Vehicles (AAVs) evolve in intricacy and operational capacity, support and maintenance are becoming a priority. Vital processes are needed to escalate the full capabilities of AAVs as are supportive operating systems capable of sharing information among different collaborators of OEMs,
defense forces, and defense contractors.

As much as we all want to see the tenets of the Outer Space Treaty, the Artemis Accords, and all other multilateral frameworks for peaceful cooperation in space hold up, geopolitical pressures here on Earth are already threatening the status quo. Then too, as the race to commercialize space intensifies, new menaces including debris and congestion, are certain to make space a more dangerous place. The question is: are we doing enough to circumvent the worst-case scenarios?

The SKYNET 6 programme is one of the prestige projects of the UK government, consolidating their existing legacy in defence connectivity and military satellite communications. The SKYNET 6A satellite, expected to launch with SpaceX in 2025, is only part of a greater initiative embracing connectivity across commercial networks, such as OneWeb, in which the UK Government possesses a 45 percent stake. The technologies that SKYNET 6 could advance are more than impressive, and the surrounding industry shaping them finds itself with an unprecedented role in the landmark project.

We are at a point with satellite technology and 5G, that is both exhilarating and hugely challenging especially as applied to military users. Security, resiliency, redundancy, and diversity are all critical to the success of communications networks that support defense operations. Rajeev Gopal, Vice President of advanced defense systems for Hughes Network Systems explains how both technological expertise and the ability to partner are key.

The Royal Navy is on a digital transformation journey with an ambition to be a fully digital organization by 2025. But breaking free of manual processes was never going to be an easy task for a centuries-old organization steeped in legacy and tradition.

Following a series of high-profile research contracts in mid-2022, we’ve seen Viasat work closely with governments eager to drive modernization across their defences, seeking “information advantage” over their rivals. John Reeves, Managing Director of Viasat UK discusses their accomplishments, and how their technologies can maintain a peaceful world.

As the crisis in Ukraine unfolds, we are witnessing a fundamental shift in the way land battles are fought. The traditional means of dropping off materials to forward operating bases is an ineffective strategy for resupplying small groups of soldiers in isolated regions. Animal Dynamics Limited which specializes in developing intelligent autonomous drones inspired by the movement of nature, has designed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of delivering materials directly to the combat zone. We reached out to Paul Topping, Business Development Director for the UK-based company, for further enlightenment on this method of distributed logistics.