The U.S. Navy employs geostationary and medium earth orbit satellite communications in support of global training event

Reston, Va., 17 March 2022 – SES Government Solutions (SES GS) supported Task Force 59 and US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) communications requirements for the International Maritime Exercise (IMX) and Cutlass Express 2022.  IMX is the largest multinational training event in the Middle East, involving more than 60 nations and international organizations committed to enhancing partnerships and interoperability to strengthen maritime security and stability.

At IMX, SES GS provided a resilient, redundant, integrated transport layer via satellite that seamlessly interconnected US and Partner Nation afloat Mission Operations Centers (MOCs), the TF-59 Headquarters Robotic Operations Center (ROC), multiple Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systems. The ROC was manned by several coalition navy personnel who were able to have full situational awareness throughout the exercise through Full Motion Video (FMV), Electro-Optical (EO), and Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) images, complemented by numerous other sensor data packages.

This was only possible because the SES GS solution comprised a fully managed end-to-end network using the latest in afloat Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) capable stabilized SATCOM, including terminals from our partners General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS) and GetSAT. The combination of SES GS’ high throughput and low-latency satellite network as well as its terrestrial network enabled TF-59 to present unprecedented real-time sensor data to the international partners in the ROC in a “single-pane-of-glass” format. This greatly enhanced the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics products employed by TF-59 across the multiple operational areas and provided significantly enhanced situational awareness as TF-59 moves towards its goal of a digital ocean operating posture.

SES GS is the only satellite operator with operational experience delivering multi-orbit, multi-band managed SATCOM services to the Department of Defense (DoD) and coalition forces. It provides the critical elements to meet the DoD’s Fighting SATCOM posture and deliver assured communications in a contested environment.

“We greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue supporting the US Navy and its forward-deployed commands with advanced SATCOM at geostationary and medium earth orbits,” said Pete Hoene, President and CEO of SES Government Solutions.  “This exercise is a great example how we enable the Navy and others to improve on their information sharing and maritime awareness requirements while leveraging multi-orbit constellations.”