Hughes Awarded Production Contract by GA-ASI to Connect Gray Eagle UAS with Next Gen Satellite Communications
GERMANTOWN, Md., April 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, an EchoStar (Nasdaq: SATS) company, today announced its it has been awarded a production contract from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) to produce a key component of the next-generation satellite communications (SATCOM) system for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle 25M Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Under the contract, Hughes will provide advanced, ruggedized HM400 modems, named the HM400T, that integrate with the DoD's standard waveform technology and transmission security (TRANSEC) features to enable significantly increased endurance and resilience for Gray Eagle 25M's wide range of Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaisance (AISR) mission requirements, particularly for operations in contested environments.
- "This production contract reinforces the commitment of Hughes to serving GA-ASI and, by extension, the U.S. Army and this program of record, ensuring enhanced communications and ISR capabilities for today's multi-domain operations."
- This advanced, customized software-defined commercial technology is based on the HM400 modem that is operating on the GA-ASI MQ-9B UAS.
- After completing the development phase, GA-ASI awarded Hughes the initial production units; Hughes will start delivering these communications systems in the Spring.
- To learn more about how Hughes delivers secure communications, anytime, anywhere, please visit the Hughes website .