U.S. Navy’s MUOS Satellite Constellation Deemed Fully Operational

- by Shaun McDougall
u.s. army soldiers work with a satellite ground station

Army soldiers assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, participate in a test of the Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). U.S. Navy Photo/Released

The U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) was deemed fully operational following a successful multiservice test event conducted last month, reports InsideDefense.com.  A Navy spokesman confirmed that Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare and Director of Naval Intelligence Vice Adm. Matthew Kohler had signed off on the milestone on October 28.

The October test event, known as the Multiservice Operational Test and Evaluation (MOT&E), involved the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army.  The test showed the system was operationally effective and that it provided the required survivability against cyberattacks needed in order for it to become fully operational.

MUOS is a next-generation narrowband satellite communications system that will replace UHF Follow-On satellites.  The new system was designed to be compatible with legacy terminals.  Five MUOS satellites were delivered to orbit between 2012 and 2016.

Last week, the Navy awarded a $732 million contract to General Dynamics for MUOS ground system sustainment.

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About Shaun McDougall

As editor of International Military Markets, North America, Shaun has cultivated a deep understanding of the vast defense markets in the United States and Canada. Shaun's perspective on defense procurement and budget issues has been cited in a variety of defense periodicals, including Defense News and National Defense Magazine. Further, Shaun played an integral role in the development of Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast product, which offers an unprecedented level of insight into the Pentagon's acquisition budget. In addition to providing original analytical content for the U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, Shaun oversees an internal defense budget forecasting process involving Forecast International's team of skilled systems analysts following release of the DoD's annual budget request. Shaun is also in charge of managing Forecast International's Weapons Inventory database.

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