spacetoday.net: Lockheed wins MUOS contract

Posted: Sun, Sep 26, 2004, 11:41 AM ET (1541 GMT)
MUOS satellite illustration (Lockheed Martin)

The US Navy selected a Lockheed Martin-led team Friday to build a new generation of communications satellite to serve tactical users. The contract for the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) is valued at $2.1 billion and includes two spacecraft and associated ground systems; options for three additional spacecraft would add over $1.1 billion to the total contract value. MUOS will replace the existing UHF Follow On (UFO) system that provides low-bandwidth communications services to personnel in the field worldwide. The first MUOS launch is planned for 2010. Lockheed's team includes Boeing Satellite Systems, General Dynamics C4 Systems, and Harris. Lockheed will provide the satellite bus, based on its A2100 commercial bus, Boeing part of the UHF payload, General Dynamics the ground system, and Harris the spacecraft antenna. The Lockheed bid beat out a team led by Raytheon.