Inmarsat Approves L-3 Datron Communications-On-The-Move Products for Use on Global Xpress

Inmarsat, (LSE:ISAT.L), the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, is beginning the second phase of Global Xpress (GX) terminal development for the US and other government markets around the world by approving L-3 Datron Advanced Technologies (L-3 Datron) Communications-On-The-Move (COTM) products for use on GX.

L-3 Datron is a world leader in the design and manufacture of antenna systems for Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C), remote sensing, surveillance and communications for fixed-site, airborne and SATCOM-On-The-Move (SOTM) applications. The two companies will jointly assess market opportunities for the development of Communications-On-The-Move (COTM) terminals for use over Inmarsat’s game-changing, high-throughput satellite GX network, which will offer high-speed broadband of up to 50 Mbps and seamless worldwide coverage from a single operator.

L-3 Datron, which has been designing, manufacturing and integrating satellite terminals for over 45 years, will now have access to Inmarsat’s GX technical development team and also to iDirect, Inmarsat’s infrastructure and core module technology partner.

Peter Hadinger, President of Inmarsat’s US Government business unit, said: “It is a clear signal of the impact that Global Xpress will have on the market that, less than six months after the successful launch of our first GX satellite (Inmarsat-5 F1), we are beginning development on the second phase to deliver Communications-On-The-Move.”

“We are delighted to announce the addition of L-3 Datron’s COTM products to the Global Xpress offering and, together with our existing GX manufacturing partners, we will offer our US government customers the widest portfolio of reliable, secure and globally available high-throughput satellite services. This is an important milestone on the path toward full rollout and global availability of the Global Xpress network.”

John Di Gioia, President, L-3 Datron, said, “L-3 Datron has an outstanding heritage in the design and development of satellite terminals, having supported this industry since the 1970s. It is clear to us that Global Xpress is going to have a significant and positive impact on the government market, both in the US and globally, and we are excited about working with Inmarsat to identify and respond to the new market opportunities that Global Xpress addresses.”

COTM is planned as the second phase in Inmarsat’s development strategy to deliver enhanced GX service capabilities. The first of three GX satellites was launched in December 2013 and has successfully completed its in-orbit testing.