Case Study

Embracing the PACE Approach in Military Satellite Communications

In today’s military satellite communications environments, adopting a PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency) approach is essential.

This methodology ensures reliable and resilient communication channels during operations, providing multiple layers of redundancy to maintain connectivity in various scenarios. By implementing the PACE framework, military units can ensure continuous and effective communication, even in the face of disruptions or challenging conditions.

In most applications X-Band is the PRIMARY choice for secure communication. X-Band is often reserved exclusively for governmental and military use. This means there’s minimal risk of interference from commercial users, enhancing the security and integrity of military communications. The dedicated spectrum allows military operations to have secure, interference-free communication channels.

Military use of X-Band is often protected by international treaties and regulations, ensuring that the spectrum remains available and is not repurposed for commercial use. This regulatory protection helps maintain the integrity and availability of X-Band for military applications. Most sovereign nations have access to their own hardened X-Band capacity.

If the X-Band capacity on a state-owned satellite is compromised, many of the new MILCOM satellites are equipped with a MIL-Ka Band payload. In such cases, the ALTERNATIVE approach would be to switch the RF chain from X-Band to MIL Ka-Band on the same satellite. This strategy mitigates frequency jamming from hostile sources, as the equipment required for jamming Ka-Band frequencies is significantly different from that used for X-Band jamming.

In the event that a satellite is compromised, the CONTINGENCY approach involves switching to an entirely new satellite. This ensures the continuity of operations and maintains maximum security by operating within the military frequency bands of X or MIL-Ka. By transitioning to a new satellite, military communications can evade potential threats and maintain the integrity of their communications.

This approach leverages the inherent advantages of the X and MIL-Ka bands, which are less susceptible to interference and jamming due to their secure and dedicated usage. Additionally, by having multiple satellites in reserve, military operations can quickly adapt to any disruption, ensuring that critical communication links remain active and secure.

The capability to switch between satellites and bands not only enhances the resilience of the communication network but also provides a robust safeguard against various forms of electronic warfare. This flexibility is crucial for maintaining operational readiness and effectiveness in dynamic and potentially hostile environments.

In the event of major interference across multiple MILCOM frequencies and satellites, it is crucial that military terminals are equipped to operate in commercial frequency bands such as C, Ku and commercial Ka-Band. This capability is especially vital during EMERGENCY situations, where maintaining secure and reliable communication is paramount.

By accessing the commercial space segment, military communication systems can leverage a wider array of potential satellites. This not only increases the available bandwidth but also distributes communication channels across multiple assets, minimising the impact of targeted interference or jamming. The commercial satellite infrastructure offers extensive coverage and redundancy, enhancing the resilience of military communication networks.

How we approach the PACE methodology with our range of tactical terminals

Holkirk’s range of tactical flyaway quad-band antennas are meticulously designed to align with the PACE (Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency) communication strategy, ensuring military communications remain reliable and resilient even under the most challenging conditions. Here’s how these advanced antennas excel in each aspect of the PACE framework:

Primary: Reliable Daily Operations

Holkirk’s systems are designed for primary operation in X-Band with a simple, no-tools assembly. This user-friendly design allows operators to quickly set up and deploy the system. The sophisticated antenna control system enables the acquisition of multiple satellites in both Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and Non-Geostationary Orbits (Non-GEO). This ensures robust and consistent communication channels, making the system ideal for routine military missions.

Alternate: Immediate Backup Solutions

In situations where the primary X-Band communication is disrupted, Holkirk’s antennas can swiftly switch to MIL-Ka Band while still pointing to the same satellite. This change can be accomplished within minutes using Holkirk Quick Change RF couplings, which allow for a simple feed change. The integrated antenna controller will auto-sense the new frequency band and automatically adjust all necessary baseband configurations, ensuring seamless continuity of operations.

Contingency: Prepared for Unexpected Failures

Holkirk has developed a unique feature within the antenna control software that enables ‘roaming’ between satellites. This allows the terminal to switch to a different satellite as needed, whether initiated locally, from the modem, or from a central hub. This capability ensures that even if both primary and alternate solutions are compromised, the system can quickly find and connect to an alternative satellite, maintaining communication integrity.

Emergency: Last Resort Options

In the event of total interference across MILCOM frequencies, Holkirk’s systems have the flexibility to operate across all commercial satellite frequencies, including C, Ku, and commercial Ka-Band. This capability ensures that critical communications can be maintained using a wide range of commercial satellites, significantly reducing the risk of interference and jamming, even in the most severe situations.

By embracing the PACE approach, Holkirk’s tactical quad-band antennas provide unparalleled flexibility and resilience. Their design facilitates rapid frequency band switching, no-tools feed assembly changes in the field, and seamless operation across different satellite systems. This adaptability is essential for maintaining secure and reliable communication in dynamic and potentially hostile environments.

Holkirk’s commitment to the PACE methodology ensures that their antennas are not only technologically advanced but also strategically aligned with the needs of modern military operations. This comprehensive approach to communication reliability makes Holkirk’s tactical flyaway quad-band antennas a critical asset in any military communications toolkit.

 Also recognising the vulnerabilities associated with GPS reliance, we have developed our next-generation land terminals like the SCORPION, SCORPION-LITE and SCARAB allow operators to manually input location data directly into the system. This capability ensures that the terminal can still acquire the satellite correctly and maintain communication links without relying solely on GPS signals.

Project details

Client

Milexia

Date

2024

 

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