The United States African command (AFRICOM) will not get the capabilities of enhanced secure communication after Sigma Defense Systems, a US-based company installs it’s Stingray III-type satellite communications system.
Sigma Defense Systems, Inc. delivers innovative engineering, system integration, and program management solutions to the Department of Defense (DoD) and other National Intelligence agencies.
Sigma is a provider of integrated technical solutions that encompass ground, air, and space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems and sensors.
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) also makes use of this capability. The General Services Administration (GSA) awarded Sigma a 5 year contract to procure, integrate, test, field, and sustain tactical suites of satellite communications (SATCOM) equipment that will deploy in support of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) mission requirements.
The Stingray system provides an integrated modular suite of satellite communications equipment for forward deployed entities, allowing them to back haul multiple high definition (HD) Full Motion Video (FMV) feeds and other sensor data, while simultaneously providing a back haul transport capability to bring theater intelligence data directly to strategic, operational, and tactical customers.
Expanded capabilities include, but are not limited to: GBS rebroadcast to disadvantaged users, Command and Control (C2), and Two-Way sensor control. These expanded capabilities are provided through small, add-on enclaves to the base system configuration.
Recently, in March this year, Peraton another satellite communications service provider secured a five year contract to provide satellite communications worth $219 million for U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
In the contract, Peraton will be tasked to immediately procure commercial-grade of the shelf satellite services to meet the needs of AFRICOM and its mission partners in the region.