Telecom Lead Europe: Satellite specialist Newtec
announced that its IP traffic enhancement and shaping technology
Cross-Layer-Optimization has been implemented in the EURO HAWK Unmanned Aerial
System (UAS) which detects and collects information.
EURO HAWK is a joint program between Cassidian, an EADS
company, and Northrop Grumman. The company said that the Newtec technology is
required in order to secure the downlink via satellite.
It represents nearly 10 years of concept preparation and
development. At 15 metres long, a wingspan of 40 metres and take-off weight of
approximately 15 tons, the Euro Hawk by far outstrips other UAS types,” said
Rudiger Knopfel, the head of the unmanned project department at the German
Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB).
The EURO HAWK’s SIGnals INTelligence (SIGINT) system
detects and collects information from ELectronic INTelligence (ELINT) radar
emitters and communications emitters from an altitude of 20,000 metres.
It then transmits this information to the ground stations in real-time
for analysis and dissemination.
The EURO HAWK can stay airborne for more than 30 hours
and fly more than 20,000 km before needing to refuel. Technicians have equipped
the EURO HAWK with German sensors and intelligence technology.
The Newtec Cross-Layer-Optimization solution enhances the
TCP communication and at the same time includes comprehensive shaping and
compression techniques.
Key to this project was providing expertise and the
right solution to ensure the satellite link for Beyond-Line-of-Sight
communications. Newtec technology allows the most data and video as possible
through the satellite link whilst providing optimal availability to assure
mission critical communications,” said Serge Van Herck, CEO of Newtec.
He added that the EURO HAWK is an important asset for
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations
for Germany and its partner states and has Newtec technology at its
core.
