• Boeing’s trailer-mounted Medium SATCOM Terminal towed by Hawkei PMV. (Credit: Boeing)
    Boeing’s trailer-mounted Medium SATCOM Terminal towed by Hawkei PMV. (Credit: Boeing)
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Boeing Defence Australia’s (BDA) trailer-mounted satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals which provide combat communication capability to deployed warfighters have achieved acceptance by Defence. 

Developed as part of Land 2072 Phase 2B ‘Project Currawong’, the Medium SATCOM Terminal, or MST, is a trailer-based earth terminal comprising a 2.5 metre satellite dish. It is reportedly the only secure SATCOM system of its size with dual band certification for the military’s Wideband Global SATCOM X and Ka Bands, in addition to the civilian Ku Band.

“The MST is versatile, flexible and robust and takes communications in the field to the next level,” BDA’s Project Currawong director, Ian Vett, said. “Its ability to go anywhere a Hawkei vehicle can go and seamlessly connect to both military and civilian satellites far exceeds any SATCOM capability currently available to the warfighter. 

“When combined with the other components of the Currawong battlespace communications system, our deployed troops are better equipped than ever to securely exchange voice, data and video communications with each other and back to headquarters regardless of their location and environmental conditions.” 

The MST taps into the Currawong system’s enhanced multi-security bearer and networking services, control and management capabilities.

“The MST is managed via the Currawong Mission System Manager (MSM) which automates network planning, configuration and control of all communications components within the system. This optimises connectivity and enables network managers to focus on higher-level tasks in support of the mission.”

“Army welcomes the introduction of such a rapidly deployable SATCOM capability,” Brigadier Warren Gould, the Director General Systems and Integration within Army Headquarters, said.  

The MST is an Australian capability which was developed and tested through a chain of Australian and US suppliers.

Twenty-four MST units will be deployed to Army Combat Signal Regiments across Australia along with the Defence Force School of Signals and RAAF.

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