A Predator Wish + Heron Height Hassle For Turkey

As speculation mounted that Turkey might opt for an Israeli armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to meet its needs, the Turkish Land Forces Command made its official request to the country's procurement agency to launch a bid for a US General Atomics Aeronautical Systems made Predator UAV.

The Turkish army sent a letter to the Undersecretariat for the Defense Industry (SSM), Turkey's military procurement agency, on December 4th, requesting it initiate the purchase of at least one U.S. Predator UAV under the Foreign Military Sales conditions, said well-informed Turkish defense industry sources close to the project. The Turkish army, said to be uneasy because the SSM was dragging its feet to initiate the purchase of a Predator, made its request to the procurement agency amid speculation that the Turkish government has shown an interest in buying at least one Israeli made Harpy 2 following Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül's visit to Tel Aviv in late October. Turkish Land Forces Commander Gen. Işık Koşaner acknowledged at a news conference on October 27th that Turkey plans to buy a US-made UAV, noting that the Turkish military has one Predator UAV at its disposal and has been gathering intelligence on the activities of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), mostly in northern Iraq. If purchased, the U.S. has pledged to supply Turkey with the system within 18 months.

In a related development, soon after the arrival of two out of 10 long-awaited Israeli Heron UAVs to Turkey late last month, some Turkish press reported technical problems with the vehicles. Quoting Anka news agency, local Aselsan-made electro-optical payloads (Aselflir 300T), which were mounted on the two Herons, were heavier, thus reducing the altitude of the vehicles from the required 30,000 feet to 24,000 feet. Decline in altitude of Herons delivered to Turkey will make them prone to the enemy targets while causing a waste of fuel, a shorter range, and less endurance in air, and a smaller surveillance area. Turkish defense industry sources confirmed the report but claimed that the technical problems with the Heron UAVs are not insurmountable. The engines of the Heron UAVs are being strengthened to carry the heavy Aselflirs in order for the UAVs to reach an altitude of 30,000 feet. The vehicles are deployed at the Batman military base in the country's southeast.

(Source: Today's Zaman. Photo, top, Predator, courtesy of Raytheon. Photo, bottom, Heron UAV, courtesy IAI.)

Taurus II Testing Tagged For Stennis Space Center

NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center will provide propulsion system acceptance testing for the Taurus II space launch vehicle, which Orbital Sciences Corporation of Dulles, Virginia, is developing.

The first Taurus II mission will be flown in support of NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services cargo demonstration to the International Space Station (ISS). The demonstration currently is planned for the end of 2010 from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia.

Orbital's Taurus II design uses a pair of Aerojet AJ26 rocket engines to provide first stage propulsion for the new launch vehicle. Orbital anticipates the first engine will be delivered to Stennis in mid-2009. Stennis engineers will have less than one year both to design and make modifications to the E-1 Test Stand to accommodate testing of the engine. The engine uses RP-1 hydrocarbon fuel, basically refined rocket-grade kerosene, as rocket propellant. This type of rocket fuel has not been used at Stennis to test a rocket engine this powerful since the late 1960s. Testing the engine will require two phases of work. The initial phase will ensure the facility is meeting its designed requirements. Engineers then will test the engine to determine whether it meets the contractor's requirements. This second phase, the acceptance test, will take place in late summer 2009.

"When Stennis Space Center develops this capability, it will make Stennis' test expertise available to a whole new line of rocket engine developers in both the commercial and government space launch arena,"said Robert Bruce, Stennis' AJ26 test project manager. "We are renewing a capability that the center had when it first opened, giving Stennis the ability to test hydrocarbon fuel for the first time at the E-1 Test Stand. This fuel was used in the 1960s, when Stennis conducted tests for the Saturn V rocket. We have only tested with RP-1 in two much smaller tests since that time."

(Images: Top—Taurus II launch vehicle, artistic rendition, courtesy of Orbital Sciences. Above— the test firing of a Space Shuttle main engine in the A-2 TEst Stand at Stennis Space Center. Image courtesy: NASA.)

IDF Makes Their UAV Selection

The Israel Defense Forces has selected an enhanced version of Elbit System's Skylark mini-UAV for operation at the battalion level.

The IDF has been operating the Skylark since 2005, as part of an operational evaluation by the Ground Forces Command. Following the recent selection, Skylarks mini-UAVs will become an integral battalion level mini UAV, providing battalion commanders and company leaders the capability to look 'over the hill'. The UAV will significantly extend intelligence gathering under all types of contingencies, from low-intensity conflict to full scale war. Other attributes considered unique to this type of aerial vehicle are the capability to operate 'under the clouds', even under severe weather conditions, and the low acoustic signature, enabling stealthy operation, particularly at night. Other systems evaluated by the IDF for this role included the Orbiter, from Aeronautics, the Skylite B from Rafael and Blue-Bird Aero Systems, The Birdeye 400 from IAI, and Casper 250 from Top-I-Vision and Rotem Industries' Sharvit group. All systems systems competing for the 'Sky Raider' program were enhanced to meet expanded operational requirements, particularly regarding range and endurance capabilities.

The IDF intends to as many as 100 systems at an estimated cost of $50 million. U-STAMP mini-payload comprising a mini-FLIR, configured for mini-UAVs such as the Skylark. The Skylark system has been operational since 2004, and is extensively used by several members of ISAF in AFghanistan since 2005. The IDF has also employed the system to a limited degree during the 2nd Lebanon War. While the IDF began evaluating the Skylark in 2003, the system has been widely endorsed and is operating with International customers for several years. Australia, Canada, Sweden, and France are among the international operators of the Skylark. The system is also being evaluated for possible deployment in support of the Dutch forces in Afghanistan.

SatTracking Logistic Assets Contract Awarded To ARINC + Impeva

ARINC Incorporated and Impeva Labs, Inc. has announced the U.S. Army Logistics Innovation Agency (LIA) has awarded the companies a contract to install and demonstrate their satellite-based Next Generation Wireless Communications (NGWC) tracking, security, and monitoring capability on containerized shipments of Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives (AA&E).

The NGWC capability protects shipments by continuously monitoring their locations and cargo conditions, and reporting as necessary over a satellite network (e.g., Iridium) from any point on Earth. This advanced capability is designed to provide real-time, end-to-end visibility of shipments moving throughout the distribution pipeline. The initial demonstration of this capability will track an outbound shipment originating from a depot in the western United States during the next 30 days. A follow-on demonstration of this capability will track shipments outbound to their final destinations in theater, and will also track retrograde shipments returning from in-theater ammunition supply points back to depots in the U.S. The companies started their partnership to develop the NGWC capability under a 2006 Army contract. Unlike other cargo monitoring systems, the technology does not require any local infrastructure or personnel support along the route.

A battery-powered satellite link inside each container-mounted device continuously relays cargo condition and location data. No fixed or handheld RFID interrogators, or cellular networks, are required for the NGWC capability to provide continuous reporting. Applied to unit deployments, retrograde unit moves, or sustainment shipments, NGWC technology provides actionable information directly to personnel who can effect change by alerting local authorities to off-route shipments, breached containers, over-temperature frozen foods, or a variety of additional sensor-based criteria. The NGWC cargo electronics module accepts inputs from any standard sensor and can be tailored to monitor a wide range of factors. Motion and intrusion detectors, impact recorders, temperature and humidity sensors, and refrigeration diagnostic devices can be implemented. All cargo-related data and continuous GPS position reports are encrypted before being sent over the satellite link.

A Tata Sky High — Another Milestone Achievement

NDS is a partner of the leading DTH provider in India, Tata Sky, and the latter achieved a major milestone, as they have now reached 3 million subscribers within a period of only 27 months. The latest 1 million subscribers were gained in just the past seven months.

Working with NDS, Tata Sky has revolutionized television viewing for Indian audiences. The platform is protected and powered by an end-to-end suite of NDS solutions including VideoGuard® conditional access system (CAS), MediaHighway® middleware, an advanced electronic program guide (EPG), as well as the XTVTM DVR and additional NDS interactive infrastructure. Powered by NDS, Tata Sky’s interactive services include Active Star News™ with interactive news and weather updates and a range of popular multi-level games. Together, these NDS solutions enable Tata Sky to deliver advanced services that are the basis for a viewing experience that is unsurpassed in the rapidly expanding pay-TV market in India.

Tata Sky launched its DTH satellite pay-TV service in August of 2006 with the goal of reaching one million connections by the end of their first year of operation. Tata Sky achieved that goal, and then required only another 10 months to reach the 2 million connections mark and just seven months to reach the 3 million connections milestone. NDS CAS and DRM technology protects over 95.4 million digital devices, including over 14.5 million DVRs, around the globe, making NDS the global leader. Middleware from NDS has been deployed in over 98.7 million devices. NDS facilities in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore all play a role in supporting Tata Sky.

Giuseppe Verdi's Finest To Be SatDelivered

Microspace Communications Corporation (Microspace) has been selected by Emerging Pictures to deliver the 2009 season opening night performance of “Don Carlo” live in HD from the world-renowned La Scala opera house in Milan, Italy.

The event will mark the first live satellite-delivered opera from La Scala, considered one of the world's most famous opera houses. Microspace will deliver the event live in HD and multi-channel surround sound to selected theaters December 7 at 12:00PM EST (6:00 p.m. in Milan) to six states including California, Maryland, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

La Scala’s Opening Night is widely considered one of European society’s most important cultural events. Italy’s elite are joined in attendance by international heads of state, royalty, VIPs, and the world’s most ardent opera fans. Last year’s Opening Night, tickets soared to US $2800 each, and it is anticipated that this year’s performance of “Don Carlo” will command even a higher premium, as this opera is widely considered to be Giuseppe Verdi’s greatest work. The digital cinema presentation is a collaboration between New York based Emerging Pictures and RAI Trade.

The Microspace network of installed theater sites across the U.S., Canada and Mexico gives content providers such as Emerging Pictures the option of delivering live alternative content. Microspace offers the world’s only full-time, dedicated, digital cinema satellite system to distribute motion pictures as well as live performances. The system currently serves eight major motion picture studios and 22 theater networks that include Allen Theaters, Carmike Cinemas, Celebration! Cinemas, Cineplex Entertainment, Mann Theaters, Marquee Cinemas, and Megaplex Theaters.

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DataPath's DKETs Increase Support for Military

DataPath, Inc., once again will do what it takes to ensure that the U.S. military has the communications equipment needed to ensure maximum contact on the battlefield. The company was awarded $3.3 million in two delivery orders to manufacture and install dual-antenna DataPath® DKET satellite communications (SATCOM) hubs in support of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the U.S. Marine Corps in Southwest Asia. The U.S. military uses an extensive network of DataPath DKETs as communications hubs that deliver high-bandwidth voice, video and data connectivity on the battlefield. Under the delivery orders, DataPath will provide two dual-antenna DKETs, one of which will be configured for operation in Ka band to utilize the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system when operational needs require it. Program Manager WIN-T's Commercial SATCOM Terminal Program (CSTP) at the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, made the awards through the CSTP Blanket Purchase Agreement contract.

“DataPath DKETs are a critical element of the Department of Defense’s SATCOM backbone in Southwest Asia,” said Steve Lindeman, vice president of Business Operations at DataPath. “We are working closely with the military to ensure that the next generation of earth terminals is configured for use with the WGS constellation, which provides critical space segment availability and increased bandwidth throughput in support of operational requirements.”

DataPath has worked with the U.S. military since 1998 to build the DKET network, which features more than 75 terminals. The DataPath DKET is a highly transportable, self-contained Earth terminal that establishes headquarters-level network connectivity anywhere the mission demands. DKET systems feature MaxView® network management software and are supported by DataPath’s experienced field services personnel that work side by side with deployed warfighters.

China's New Remote Sensing Sat Launched

China has launched a new remote sensing satellite from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, the fifth satellite in the YaoGan series and developed by the China Academy of Space Technology, was launched by a CZ-4B Chang Zheng-4B rocket at 03:22 UTC yesterday morning.

According to the Chinese media, the YaoGan-5 satellite will be used for scientific research, land resources surveying, crop yield estimate, and disaster prevention and relief. Announced as a remote sensing and disaster relief satellite series, the YaoGan satellites have an “obscure” mission. The first YaoGan satellite (29092 2006-015A) was launched by a CZ-4C Chang Zheng-4C (CZ4C-1) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on April 27, 2006. At the time the details about this satellite were very rare, but later it was said that this was the first Jian Bing-5 satellite and was equipped with the first space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR). Other YaoGan launches have occurred on May 25, 2007, November 12th, 2007, and on December 1st, 2008. According to Sinodefence.com, modifications on the CZ-4B included larger payload fairing, the replacement of the original mechanical-electrical control on the CZ-4 with an electronic control, an improved telemetry, tracking, control, and self-destruction systems with smaller size and lighter weight. It also includes a revised nozzle design in the second stage for better high-altitude performance, a propellant management system for the second stage to reduce the spare propellant amount, thus increasing the vehicle’s payload capability and a propellant jettison system on the third-stage.

This launch was the 10th orbital launch by China this year, the 115th Chinese orbital launch, the 27th orbital launch from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, and the fourth orbital launch from Taiyuan this year. Situated in the Kelan County on the northwest part of the Shanxi Province, the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center is also known by the Wuzhai designation. The site is used mainly for polar launches (meteorological, Earth resources, and scientific satellites). The launch center is equipped with a Mission Command and Control Center, a Technical Center and telemetry, tracking and communications centers. There are two launch complexes in Taiyuan. The next Chinese launch will probably be the launch of the FY-2E Feng Yun-2E meteorological satellite from Xi Chang Satellite Launch Center that is scheduled to take place in the last 10 days of this year. The satellite will be launched by a CZ-2A Chang Zheng-3A rocket.

(Source: NASA Spaceflight.com. Photo, above, is of the YaoGan-5 satellite.)

SES Americom Pulls Plug On IP-Prime

News arrives that is perhaps surprising to some — SES Americom announced it will cease providing its IPTV wholesale programming service, IP-Prime, to North American telcos by July 31, 2009. The termination was blamed on slow adoption of IPTV by small and medium-sized telecom operators, its primary customer base, as well as what it called a difficult market outlook for this kind of service.

Just one week ago SES Chief Financial Officer Robert Kisilywicz announced the success of the IP Prime platform to a group at UBS’s annual global media and communications conference. He stated that the company’s content aggregation business was thriving due to demand for high-definition programming and the long-term agreements it had in place with programmers. He described the business outlook for 2009 as both rare and positive despite the economic downturn.

Despite the cessation of IP-Prime which is surprising to some, considering the positive picture Kisilywicz’s presented, it won't affect the company’s financial guidance for this year or the next, according to an SES Americom spokesman.

“This does not mean that we no longer believe in satellite’s role in an IPTV environment; we do very much,” the spokesman said. “However, the way the platform was positioned and set up, we just cannot see how we are going to get it to operate according to our self-set criteria for return on investment. We are not getting there, because we have to take into consideration that we are not only talking about the physical platform in Vernon Valley with SES Americom, but we also have a satellite aspect behind it, AMC-9. This satellite is 22 transponders that have been distributing programming okay but to a virtually non-existent audience.” According to the spokesman, if a third party expresses interest in the IP-Prime platform, or contributing to it, SES may reconsider the service, however in today’s market terminating it made the most sense.

IP-Prime has signed IPTV signal delivery agreements this last year with 70 small telecom operators, 37 of which have reached commercial deployment. The disappointing aspect is that the company estimates the end-subscriber base remained at less than 10,000 at the end of November.

“I think that SES Americom is, at its core, a satellite company,” said Bernie Arnason, managing partner at Pivot Media. “I still believe in the concept of IP Prime for sure, in terms of what it is trying to accomplish, but the reality of SES, and this is very specific to SES, the reality of their core competency hit home. They are a satellite company; they are not an IPTV systems integration company.”