OneWeb: The Global Connectivity Solution for Special Operations Forces
An Evolving Battlespace
Today, Special Operations Forces (SOF) must be adequately equipped to handle an increasing number of mission sets, often conducted in complex and diverse operating environments.
Missions can range from countering violent extremist organisations through to operations below the threshold of open conflict against highly capable, peer adversaries.
Whether it be counter-terrorism in the Sahel, military assistance in eastern Europe or strategic reconnaissance in the Indo-Pacific, SOF require optimal levels in situation awareness to successfully plan future missions; develop innovative concepts of operation; and integrate with national and international partners.
The OneWeb Solution
Critical to any special operation are rapidly deployable communication networks which provide SOF with Beyond Line of Sight connectivity in contested arenas as well as the most remote regions of the World.
OneWeb’s Global Connectivity Platform is ideally suited to support the conduct of special operations anywhere in the World, at anytime.
Providing SOF with an “ecosystem” of solutions, OneWeb enables a truly multi-domain capability to satisfy the most critical communications requirements emerging from the modern battlespace.
Comprising a global constellation of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, ground gateways, user terminals and software solutions, OneWeb’s ecosystem provides SOF with a modular and scalable network which ensures secure voice and data communications at the tactical edge.
This not only provides SOF with robust, resilient and flexible levels in connectivity where it matters most, it also enhances levels in situation awareness and streamlines decision-making processes.
SOF Use Cases include:
Crisis Response
Counter-Terrorism/ Counter-Insurgency
Military Assistance
Peacekeeping Support Operations
Humanitarian Aid/Disaster Relief
Search and Rescue
The first phase of OneWeb’s Global Connectivity Platform- a 648-strong constellation of LEO satellites providing coverage across North America, Europe and the Arctic- will be available to SOF customers in November this year.
Services will be extended to the Middle East, North Africa and the Indo-Pacific in 2022 and by 2023, OneWeb will operate a truly global constellation of LEO satellites, providing multi-domain communications-on-the-move as well as integration into 5G networks, Combat Clouds and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Advantages for SOF include:
Global Roaming (99.7% availability of global coverage including the Arctic)
High speed communications on-the-move
Low latency <50ms to support real-time applications
High data throughput (<195Mbps)
Lightweight, multi-domain user terminals (Air, Land and Sea)
Signature management (low profile antennae and LPI/LPD waveforms)
Conclusion
Operating alongside our strategic partners, OneWeb stands ready to support the global connectivity demands of the French Special Operations Command (COS).
Senior Business Development Lead Europe/MEA at Kuiper Government Solutions
4yOneWeb is a game-changing capability in support of SOF and Conventional forces on land, at sea and in the air, fixed and mobile, as well as a wide variety of other critical use cases such as OGD, HADR, SAR, emergency responders etc. OneWeb will be showcasing at a number of Defence and Security events this year including Global MilSatCom and DSEI. Reach out to me directly via bbingham@oneweb.net if you would like to meet the Government team at these events, or indeed receive a virtual or face to face briefing at any time.