Skynet 5
The baseband solution for secure military communications.
The SKYNET 5 Programme is providing the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) with the next generation of military satellite communications, linking fixed defence networks with naval, air and land forces deployed in overseas theatres. Skynet 5 is delivering a comprehensive range of services that include voice and data communication at all levels of protective marking, and is at the heart of the UK MOD's drive towards a Network Enabled Capability (NEC). The Skynet programme is led by Paradigm Secure Communications Ltd, an EADS Space company with EADS Defence and Security Systems as a major partner.
Technology Features
The SKYNET 5 baseband is providing a high quality, reliable communications service offering a range of data services such as legacy point to point, ATM, IP, through restricted LAN interconnect and secret LAN interconnect, secure voice services and conferencing. Communications will be supported in times of stress and Multi Level Precedence and Pre-emption (MLPP) will provide the means for prioritising the most essential trunks. The services are provided in the Out-Of-Area theatre. The design utilises COTS products that have been ruggedised to meet military survivability requirements.
The SKYNET 5 baseband is fitted in 2 fixed “hub” stations in the UK, in 36 ships and in 44 transportable terminals. The design is flexible and allows for variants to be adapted to specific roles.
Architecture
The baseband architecture provides open standard interfaces and common military standards interfaces and common military standards such as TAC-ISDN and STANAG 4578. The Network Management System (NMS), as well as providing the basis for rapid configuration of services provides comprehensive management, with the ability to provide reports to peer and superior networks.
Specific development programmes have been undertaken to provide resilient rate adaption (RRA) on IP services, enhanced voice processing (EVP) for protocol conversion, military interfacing and conferencing as well as a voice trunk unit (VTU) for voice resilience during periods of stress.
Service Management
The SKYNET 5 programme will provide the UK MOD with military satellite communication services until 2018, during which time Paradigm will be responsible for provisioning services, maintaining the network and keeping services modern and efficient.
EADS Role
EADS Defence and Security Systems Ltd plays a vital role in the construction and support of the SKYNET 5 System, as the baseband and crypto prime. In this role, EADS has designed and implemented the ground communications (baseband) switching network, drawing on its experience of both utilising commercially available equipment in a military environment and the development of bespoke communications equipment.
EADS has also developed a new cryptographic unit, designed specifically for multiple roles within the SKYNET 5 system, the first production unit delivered just two and a half years after the start of development. This represents a major achievement when compared with similar developments, which typically take 3-4 years from requirements to production.
EADS plays an important role in the management and distribution of key material around the SKYNET 5 system. EADS has developed a bespoke key management and is also responsible for providing bespoke cryptographic equipment as part of the new SKYNET 5 satellites.