AST SpaceMobile demos first tactical NTN connectivity on mobile phones
AST SpaceMobile is working with Fairwinds Technologies for program integration and military tactical network support for defense uses.
AST SpaceMobile has announced the demonstration of the worlds first Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) tactical satellite communications delivering high-throughput data, voice, and video using unmodified mobile devices in collaboration with Fairwinds Technologies (a privately held company).
The field test showcased key defence-related use cases, including real-time connectivity to the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) over a VPN, multimedia streaming via TAK, and secure multi-party video calls, all executed on standard, unmodified smartphones.
This milestone demonstration was conducted near AST SpaceMobiles gateway facility on Oahu, Hawaii, with active participation from US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), including representation from the US Navy, Marine Corps, Army, US Space Command, and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defence for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E) FutureG team.
AST SpaceMobile collaborated with Fairwinds Technologies on this demonstration. Fairwinds is a trusted partner providing programme integration and military tactical network support as AST SpaceMobile explores direct-to-device satellite communications for US government and defence applications.
This effort follows the recent award by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to the Fairwinds/AST SpaceMobile team under the Hybrid Space Architecture 2 initiative within DIUs Space Portfolio. The project is jointly supported by DIUs Cyber & Telecom Portfolio and aims to evaluate the viability of space-based direct-to-device communications for resilient, secure tactical networks in denied or austere environments.
Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial and Government Business Officer at AST SpaceMobile, said: 'This demonstration represents a significant leap forward in advancing resilient, secure communications capabilities for the U.S. defense community. We are proud to help enable a new layer of mobile connectivitydirectly from space to standard smartphones, with no need for specialized equipment, in support of national security objectives.'
Timothy Hillner, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Fairwinds Technologies, added: 'This is just the beginning. Were honored to collaborate with AST SpaceMobile and the Defense Innovation Unit to deliver next-generation communications at the tactical edge – precisely where and when theyre needed most. Together, were enabling the future of command and control.'
This was the first in a series of planned prototype demonstrations to evaluate space-based mobile broadband for defense applications, with additional testing, including over open ocean environments, planned in the coming months as the team continues to push the boundaries of multi-domain, space-based tactical communications.
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AST SpaceMobile demos first tactical NTN connectivity on mobile phones
AST SpaceMobile is working with Fairwinds Technologies for program integration and military tactical network support for defense uses. AST SpaceMobile has announced the demonstration of the worlds first Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) tactical satellite communications delivering high-throughput data, voice, and video using unmodified mobile devices in collaboration with Fairwinds Technologies (a privately held company). The field test showcased key defence-related use cases, including real-time connectivity to the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) over a VPN, multimedia streaming via TAK, and secure multi-party video calls, all executed on standard, unmodified smartphones. This milestone demonstration was conducted near AST SpaceMobiles gateway facility on Oahu, Hawaii, with active participation from US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), including representation from the US Navy, Marine Corps, Army, US Space Command, and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defence for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E) FutureG team. AST SpaceMobile collaborated with Fairwinds Technologies on this demonstration. Fairwinds is a trusted partner providing programme integration and military tactical network support as AST SpaceMobile explores direct-to-device satellite communications for US government and defence applications. This effort follows the recent award by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to the Fairwinds/AST SpaceMobile team under the Hybrid Space Architecture 2 initiative within DIUs Space Portfolio. The project is jointly supported by DIUs Cyber & Telecom Portfolio and aims to evaluate the viability of space-based direct-to-device communications for resilient, secure tactical networks in denied or austere environments. Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial and Government Business Officer at AST SpaceMobile, said: 'This demonstration represents a significant leap forward in advancing resilient, secure communications capabilities for the U.S. defense community. We are proud to help enable a new layer of mobile connectivitydirectly from space to standard smartphones, with no need for specialized equipment, in support of national security objectives.' Timothy Hillner, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Fairwinds Technologies, added: 'This is just the beginning. Were honored to collaborate with AST SpaceMobile and the Defense Innovation Unit to deliver next-generation communications at the tactical edge – precisely where and when theyre needed most. Together, were enabling the future of command and control.' This was the first in a series of planned prototype demonstrations to evaluate space-based mobile broadband for defense applications, with additional testing, including over open ocean environments, planned in the coming months as the team continues to push the boundaries of multi-domain, space-based tactical communications.
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