[SatNews] This major contract will find the Company involved in upgrading numerous communication systems...

SELEX Elsag, a Finmeccanica company, has been awarded a major turnkey contract to rationalize and upgrade NATO’s satellite communication systems and associated infrastructure. SELEX Elsag will design, build, test, commission and support the infrastructure and communications systems upgrades, which will offer high levels of operational readiness, and reduced manning requirements and through-life costs. This includes a major new building and SATCOM facility in Belgium. Existing multiple antenna satellite ground stations in Kester (Belgium) and Lughezzano (Italy), and single antenna facilities at Oglananasi (Turkey) and Atalanti (Greece) will be upgraded, making extensive use of proven commercial off-the-shelf technology. An enhanced training capability will be provided at the NATO Communications & Information Systems School in Italy. Surplus SATCOM stations will be closed. This low-risk programm will provide an expandable capability with a 20-year operational lifespan. It will significantly enhance NATO’s operational capability by improving space segment efficiency, improving operational security and interoperability, reducing cost of ownership, and improving resilience and security.