Airbus Defence News

I-6 F1, Inmarsat's most sophisticated commercial communications satellite\, has reached geostationary orbit and begun on-orbit testing, Carrying both L-band and Ka-band payloads, I-6 F1 will deliver a further enhancement of Inmarsat’s ELERA and Global Xpress networks respectively.The satellite, the size of a London double-decker bus, with a solar array ‘wingspan’ larger than a Boeing 767, was launched by MHI in Japan in December 2021. Since its launch, it has been moving towards geostationary orbit (GEO) approximately 36…

Aerospace solutions provider Airbus Defense and Space has upgraded its digital maritime service to detect and track vessels around the globe.First launched in 2018, OceanFinder leverages Airbus’ advanced constellation of optical and radar satellites, combined with real-time global Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, and the latest in automated analytics, to support a broad range of critical applications across defense and security, shipping, oil and gas, and insurance markets.OceanFinder’s latest updates introduce a number of innovative features – extending the service’s capabilities in several key areas.From today, users will benefit from enhanced imagery and AIS data correlation to identify the precise location of a non-responding vessel in near real-time.

Inmarsat will introduce two new satellite payloads dedicated to the Arctic region in a partnership with Space Norway, and its subsidiary Space Norway HEOSAT.The new Global Xpress (GX) payloads support the rapidly growing demand among both commercial and government users for seamless, reliable, high-speed mobile broadband services in the Arctic and throughout the world. They specifically address rising demand for high-speed mobile broadband Fleet Xpress service capability from the merchant shipping…

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has confirmed the successful launch of two satellites, NovaSAR-1, a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, and SSTL S1-4, a high resolution optical Earth Observation satellite. The two satellites were launched into a 580km sun-synchronous orbit on board the PSLV launch vehicle from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India on 16 September at UTC 16:38 by Antrix Corporation Limited, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation.Sir Martin Sweeting, Executive Chairman of SSTL, said “I am pleased to confirm that successful contact has been made with both satellites and they are in good health.

Funds managed by the private equity firm Apax Partners completed the acquisition of Marlink, Airbus Group’s Commercial Satellite Communication business.   Marlink’s maritime and land commercial satcom business is present in 14 countries across Europe, Asia, Middle‐East and Americas, and has a distribution network of approximately 400 resellers worldwide. The company serves all maritime sectors, as well as users in the mining, energy and humanitarian sector.    The government satcom business is not part of this transaction and remains part of Airbus Defence & Space’ core activities.

Marlink has moved to a new office in Singapore in order to meet the growing demand for delivery and support of its portfolio of multi-band, business critical communication solutions for maritime customers operating in Southeast Asia. The original Marlink Singapore office was opened in 1998. The new Marlink Singapore office adds new facilities and potential while continuing to be a vital resource for local and international vessels through delivery of sales, installation and support services. The new office managed by Eric Jan Bakker, Head of Sales Asia in Marlink, includes a fully equipped support center operating seven days a week, in addition to live test, demonstration and training facilities, covering all of Marlink’s core connectivity services and solutions.

The commercial satellite communication division of Airbus Defence and Space has been rebranded as Marlink, now grouping all maritime and enterprise satcom activities under one brand. Marlink’s communication solutions for maritime and land customers are now offered through its established direct and indirect sales channels. Marlink said it will deploy a segment-based approach, ensuring expert focus, best-fit connectivity technology and solutions for its maritime customers in shipping…

[Press Release] Airbus Group SE (AIR) signed with French private equity firm, Apax Partners, a share purchase agreement (SPA) for the sale of 100% of the share capital of the legal entities comprising the commercial satellite communication business. The final closing of the transaction – subject to regulatory approvals – is expected to take place in the next months. Airbus Defence and Space announced in September of 2014 that a detailed and comprehensive portfolio assessment had defined Military Aircraft, Space, Missiles and related Systems and Services as its future core businesses.

Dr. Rolf Wirtz will become Chief Executive Officer of the naval electronics systems provider Atlas Elektronik GmbH, with effect from January 1, 2016. He will succeed Volker Paltzo who will leave the company on December 31, 2015 and take on a new role as Chief Executive Officer of Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH in Hallbergmoos, Bavaria. In his previous assignment, Rolf Wirtz was Senior Vice President and acted as Head of the business unit “Sensors, Electronic Warfare & Avionics” unit of Airbus Defence and Space and also Head of the Development and Production unit within the Electronics business line. Over and above this, he directed the Ulm location of Airbus. The Management Board will be extended by one more member. This new position will be taken over by Dr.

Greece-based Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited (EASTMED), a shipping operator servicing the energy, industrial and agricultural sectors, has chosen to install Marlink’s global VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) communication solution with L-band back-up on 20 tankers and bulkers. EASTMED aims to achieve greater operational efficiency to support its clients with cost efficient transportation in a safe environment. The VSAT solution will be completed with the full SkyFile suite to provide EASTMED crew with high-level Internet access and cost-effective communication. Marlink’s innovative VSAT solution will provide significant levels of bandwidth for vessel and business communication, helping EASTMED to improve e.g.

Rickmers Group will migrate to multiband VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) from Marlink Maritime VSAT for its fleet of 90+ vessels including containerships, bulk carriers and heavy lift vessels, in a move  that aims to improve operational efficiency through better integration of ship and shore side networks in addition to providing internet connectivity for crew welfare. High bandwidth availability on Marlink’s Ku-band ‘Plus’ maritime VSAT services will enable Rickmers to significantly enhance on board IT opportunities while introducing the possibility of live monitoring…

While the true uptake of broadband across the maritime sector has been slow to develop, a number of market conditions are conspiring to drive the service mainstream. Intelsat’s Kurt Riegelman discusses the matter with Maritime Reporter & Engineering News. While the advent of full broadband in the maritime sector is the exception rather than the norm, the tides are changing as companies increasingly deploy fast, modern ‘land-like’ comms in an effort to achieve everything from attracting and retaining crew, to streamlining business operations at sea and enhancing safety.

A new online resource providing in-depth, impartial information and advice on maritime VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) technology has been officially launched at Nor-Shipping 2015. maritimeVSAT.com is based on an initiative led by maritime communication services provider Marlink and supported by major industry organizations. Its purpose is to educate the wider maritime industry on all aspects of maritime VSAT by providing a detailed knowledge base and clear understanding of the technology available, thus helping ship-owners to make an informed choice when upgrading vessel and fleet communications. From a neutral standpoint, maritimeVSAT.com provides essential information related to VSAT technology, services and installation.

The world’s first 18,800 TEU LNG-ready ultra-large containership, M.V. Barzan, was recently named at a ceremony in South Korea. MV Barzan is one of 17 (11 x 15,000 TEU and 6 x 18,800 TEU) advanced new containerships built by Hyundai Heavy Industries for United Arab Shipping Company (UASC), all of which will start their operational life with IP connectivity using Marlink VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal). With reliable broadband, this new generation of containerships is online and connected to shore 24/7…

Marlink and Palantir AS have signed a strategic partnership agreement that aims to improve access to IT services in the maritime industry. Palantir’s IT products complement Marlink parent company Airbus Defence and Space’s extensive AuroraGlobal multi-band (Ka-, Ku-, C and L-band) connectivity portfolio and value added solutions, which enable shipping companies to optimize communications and operations. Through the agreement, Palantir, a supplier of managed maritime IT products and services will support Marlink in taking increased responsibility for its customers’ IT systems on board.

In early June, the shipping community met in Athens, Greece for Posidonia 2014. While the focus in Athens tends to be skewed more toward the night life and after hour parties, Maritime Reporter was able to dig out some relevant product and service news from the exhibition center. Wilhelmsen Ship Service (www.wilhelmsen.com/shipsservice) introduced its fuel oil treatment range and integrated welding safety products and services at Posidonia. Engineered to maintain vessel performance and engine efficiency even when slow-steaming or burning low sulfur fuel…

Airbus Defence and Space has launched SkyFile Mail Manager, the latest addition to its SkyFile messaging portfolio. Designed to improve management of SkyFile Mail traffic and user accounts, SkyFile Mail Manager, as the latest value added service to work on the Aurora Global network, is a new online tool that provides IT management efficiency on board and ashore. The new tool provides detailed reporting and control of all accounts and features flexible user rights and ship/fleet grouping options, which makes it easier and efficient to manage email traffic.

The 124 MSC’s vessels will be the first to benefit from AuroraGlobal, the new all-in-one high throughput maritime VSAT offering. MSC Cargo Italy has contracted Marlink to deliver the new WaveCall Plus high-speed Broadband VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) package for its entire fleet of 124 vessels. WaveCall Plus is part of AuroraGlobal, the new multi-band high-speed initiative launched by Airbus Defence and Space in March 2014. Already using VSAT on board its ships, MSC selected…

Ku-band coverage boosted with Seychelles region extension delivering high-speed data. Airbus Defence and Space has expanded its Ku-band VSAT (Very Small Apperture Terminal) coverage in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), using the Intelsat IS-702 S2 satellite. The new coverage enables improved availability of Pharostar, Sealink and WaveCall VSAT voice and data services for vessels transiting or operating primarily in the Seychelles area, north to Ethiopia and south to Madagascar. Several diverse maritime groups will make use of more available high speed VSAT, including commercial fishing, government, naval, shipping and yachting vessels. An improved Ku-band footprint will also enhance security and anti-piracy efforts in the region.

Airbus Defence and Space has launched XChange v3, the latest evolution of its XChange communications platform, which is set to further improve the flow of operational data between ship and shore through sophisticated voice and connectivity service management. XChange is an all-in-one solution to manage communications services in an easy and intuitive way. It gives more control with less operational overhead while on board administrative tasks can also be out-sourced to onshore offices.

Astrium Services, the global innovative provider of satellite enabled solutions, has announced that it will operate with immediate effect under its new name Airbus Defence and Space, a division of Airbus Group. The change from Astrium Services to the new Airbus Defence and Space is part of a rebranding throughout the wider EADS organization. Earlier this year, EADS became Airbus Group, with three distinct divisions: Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space, and Airbus Helicopters. The entire Astrium Services portfolio of satellite communications and geo information services will continue under the newly created Communication, Intelligence & Security (CIS) business line of Airbus Defence and Space.