Hughes Wins U.S. Air Force Contract to Develop Concepts for Protected Tactical Satellite Communications

Contract Leverages Hughes Expertise in Network Management and Waveform Development

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Nov 14, 2012, 08:30 ET

GERMANTOWN, Md., Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, and a leading provider of managed network and application services, today announced that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force Military Satellite Communications System Directorate, located at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California. The contract is for the development of future management concepts for protected tactical satellite communications and includes technical support in the definition of future protected tactical satellite waveforms.

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"Our military relies upon command and control and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information to enable the most technologically sophisticated defense systems," said Rick Lober, vice president and general manager of the Defense and Intelligence Systems Division at Hughes. "A cost-effective and efficient approach to protected tactical communications is critical, especially as our potential adversaries' ability to disrupt communications for those systems continues to increase."

The contract was issued to help the Air Force develop options and reduce acquisition risk for an affordable architecture that provides U.S. and Allied Forces with protected satellite communications in future hostile environments. Hughes was selected to develop design concepts and demonstrate mature satellite technologies that enable network management to leverage the capabilities Hughes employs across its global, commercial satellite networks. Additionally, Hughes has extensive experience and deep knowledge in waveform design and development. The proposed new waveform designs will help create cost savings while extending communications capabilities.

"Hughes is pleased that the Air Force has recognized our expertise in the selected areas as well as our ability to help lower system costs. We look forward to working with the Air Force and all of our industry partners in defining and demonstrating a proof of concept for these future communications systems," added Lober.

About Hughes Network Systems
Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world's leading provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments globally. HughesNet^® is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 2.8 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing over 50 percent market share. Its products employ global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions. For additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com.

SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC