Elbit Systems develops on the move satcom system

Elbit Systems Land and C4I – Tadiran has capitalised on its acquisition of Shiron Satellite Communications in early 2009 and developed a tactical satellite communications (satcom) on-the-move (SOTM) Ku-band terminal, the ELSAT 2000, filling a gap in its tactical communications inventory.

Incorporating technology developed by Shiron, the system consists of a lightweight and low-profile antenna and a Burst Mode Frequency Division Multiple Access (BM-FDMA) satcom very small aperture (VSAT) modem. It will operate either as a one-way or two-way system, allowing commanders to make the best use of satellite resources.

The antenna, which is designed to be fitted to a range of vehicles, weighs 12 kg and is 20 cm high. The system's low profile is intended to avoid calling attention to command platforms. It has a single radiating passive aperture for transmit and receive bands and is a hybrid, which allows it to scan mechanically in elevation and azimuth, as well as electronically for polarisation.

Moshe Shlisel, Senior Director of Defense Satcom Systems at Elbit, told Jane's that the system will acquire a satellite between 20 seconds to one minute of arriving at a new location and takes "less than a second" for reacquisition after temporary loss of signal.