Sovereign, Resilient and Ready – the Next Era of SATCOM
As the landscape of satellite communications (SATCOM) evolves, a clear trend emerges: military and government users now demand more than just bandwidth.
The upcoming era of military SATCOM will be characterized by enhanced interoperability across multiple transport layers. This will enable operators to securely and efficiently transmit data across both commercial and military constellations as mission requirements dictate.
L3Harris Technologies’ Panther™ II man-portable tactical SATCOM terminal and the Comtech 5650C2/MP modem are now recognized as the industry’s sole embeddable devices certified for SES’s O3b mPOWER Sovereign and Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) constellations. This certification validates their compatibility across various transport layers with a single unit.
“In an era where contested electromagnetic environments are becoming commonplace, the ability to enhance transmission resilience and reduce detectability is no longer an optional feature,” said Bill Scorse, Director of SATCOM Programs at L3Harris. “It is crucial to integrate the foundational elements for more robust multi-orbit, multi-network solutions.”
Resiliency Through Options
In a digital battlefield where high-throughput data is ubiquitous, users require guaranteed access, sovereign control, low-latency performance, and survivability across diverse SATCOM infrastructures. Achieving this not only equips them with vital actionable data but also ensures security in contested conditions.
The Panther II Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) and 5650C2/MP modem fulfill these needs with certifications on both O3b mPOWER and WGS.
Operating from medium earth orbit, O3b mPOWER offers lower latency compared to traditional geosynchronous satellites and boasts high throughput capabilities. It can swiftly direct capacity to where it is needed most, providing users with the agility to respond to rapidly evolving mission landscapes.
Partnerships Building Strength
While terminals are critical, true strategic advantage is realized when terminal functionalities are paired with modem technologies that are tailored for future battlegrounds.
In collaboration, L3Harris and Comtech have developed an embeddable modem that is user-friendly and designed to withstand challenging conditions, making it suitable for demanding environments.
“The 5650C2/MP highlights the necessity for more adaptable SATCOM solutions within multi-network setups, with advanced waveform features that mitigate the likelihood of interception and detection (LPI/LPD),” Scorse commented. “This innovative defense communications design transforms SATCOM from merely a convenience to a crucial operational asset.”
In summary, the combination of the Panther II certified for SES mPOWER Sovereign, along with the embeddable Comtech 5650C2/MP certified for WGS, signals a broader industry trend towards hybrid, resilient, and mission-focused communication solutions.
Source: L3Harris (2026-11-02)
