Boeing puts satellite through difficult tests

Originally published July 27, 2015.

Boeing is testing the ability of the Inmarsat-5 F2 commercial satellite to transmit military Ka-band signals with a series of demonstrations including transmitting video through rotating helicopter blades. The demonstrations have involved 10 major U.S. Department of Defense customer groups who use fast-moving platforms and need to serve users at multiple locations, according to a Boeing news release.

ONLINE MULTIMEDIA REPORT: Satcom for Tactical Forces C2

The tests showed that the F2 satellite, as part of the Inmarsat Global Xpress network, can handle data up to 30 megabits per second without signal distortion or loss, according to Boeing. That speed is higher than previous tests on helicopters have attained, the company said.

Other tests showed that the high-speed data can be transferred without degradation even in poor weather conditions, and on small terminals, according to Boeing.

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