EM Solutions commissions new SATCOM system on HMAS Canberra

The Royal Australian Navy’s amphibious assault ship’s communications capabilities have been bolstered following a two-month-long upgrade.

Brisbane’s EM Solutions supplied its locally designed and built Cobra Tri-Band Inmarsat GX and WGS X/Ka-band Satellite Communications Terminal on the navy’s Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ship, HMAS Canberra.

Installation was undertaken in concert with partners including Navantia Australia.

The upgrade, which forms part of EM Solutions’ broader support for the RAN under multiple programs including SEA1445 and SEA1180, aims to increase deployed bandwidth availability, enhancing crew conditions and quality of life functions while at sea.

The bolstered SATCOM capability is expected to improve digital connectivity by supporting voice, video, social media, internet access and personal communications to enable both the permanent and embarked forces to stay connected.

This is the first time that the EM Solutions tri-band Cobra terminal has been deployed in dual antenna configuration, using a new Antenna Diversity System, whose design was recently completed by the company in conjunction with RAN Engineers.

The system provides antenna diversity when one antenna is blocked because of the ship’s infrastructure, or allows dual communications streams or even use of two separate satellites when both have visibility.

The project was completed in just eight weeks, allowing HMAS Canberra to participate in recent trials.

EM Solutions CEO Dr Rowan Gilmore said: “Our ability to work remotely under Covid conditions, and test and commission a dual-headed system with novel arbitration technology for the first time, shows how the rapid support and capability of local firms can make a huge difference.

“This rapid commissioning attests to the capability of even medium-sized firms like EM Solutions to provide immediate sovereign design, manufacturing, and increasingly, sustainment activity to the benefit of the ADF.”

EM Solutions, part of the Electro Optic Systems group, supplies its Cobra terminal to six of the world’s navies across four continents.
In Australia, Cobra satcom systems are now on use in the Cape Class, Anzacs, LHDs, and AOR Class ships and are awaiting installation on the first of the new OPVs. The Cobra terminal is unique in providing multi-band access on both WGS and commercial satellite systems.

Picture: Electro Optic Systems

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