Introduction
We invite qualified SATCOM system UGV manufacturers and service providers to propose a compact, rugged, field-deployable satellite communication solution to support secure command & control, telemetry, and real-time ISR video transmission between an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) and a portable/handheld Ground Control Station (GCS).
The system shall support full-duplex mobile satellite communications under contested, harsh, and high-mobility tactical conditions.
System Overview (High-Level)
The proposed solution shall consist of:
UGV-Mounted Satellite Terminal
- Low-profile antenna with embedded modem.
- Designed for integration with the onboard mission computer.
Handheld GCS Terminal / Backpack Terminal
- Battery-powered, rugged terminal interoperable with the UGV terminal
Supported Bands (Vendor may propose any):
Primary: Ku-Band or Ka-Band LEO satellite networks.
- Frequency: 10.7–12.75 GHz (downlink), 13.75–14.5 GHz (uplink), intended for LEO service.
Alternate: S-Band satellite networks
- Frequency: 2 – 4 GHz, Intended for government/Military satellite service.
Functional Requirements
Communication Performance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Telemetry & C2 | ≥ 256 kbps duplex |
| End-to-End latency | LEO RTT ≤ 80–150 ms preferred |
| ISR Video | 720p / 1080p @ 25-30 fps, (H.264/H.265) |
| Sustained Video Uplink | ≥ 1.5 Mbps (desired ≥ 3–5 Mbps) |
| Data Encryption | AES-256/Suit-B or equivalent military-grade |
| link Availability | ≥ 99.5% in field conditions |
| Mobility Support | Fully operational at speeds up to 80km/h |
| QoS | Priority for C2 over video. |
Hardware Requirements
UGV Terminal
| Parameter | Requirement |
| Form Factor | – Low-profile rugged modem + antenna |
| Environmental | – IP67, MIL-STD-810H, JSS-55555 |
| Temperature | – −20°C to +55°C |
| Power Input | – 12–24 VDC. |
| Interfaces | – Ethernet (1 Gbps), RS-232/422 (optional) |
| Routing | – IP routing & WLAN support |
Portable GCS Terminal
- Handheld / backpack form factor
- Android/Linux compatible.
- Internal Rechargeable battery Interface: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and USB-C (Power & Data).
Antenna Requirements
UGV Antenna
- Compact ESA / Flat panel antenna preferred.
- Electronic auto-Tracking (no mechanical if possible)
- Gain as recommended to achieve uplink ≥4 Mbps.
- Fully operable during vehicle motion and terrain variations.
GCS Antenna
- Portable flat-panel or Small parabolic (≤ 30 cm).
- Auto-acquire and auto-track capability.
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