[SatNews] L-3 Communications has announced its GCS subsidiary (L-3 GCS) has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) for its Panther(tm) Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) manpack satellite communications systems and associated equipment.

The systems will be used in support of USSOCOM's Special Operations Forces Deployable Node-Lite (SDN-Lite) program, which will provide worldwide satellite communications connectivity to Special Operations Forces field personnel. The contract is valued at up to $170 million over the next five years. L-3 GCS will begin shipping MIL-tested and certified Ku-, Ka-, and X-band manpacks, data kits, and power systems to USSOCOM this calendar year, with additional units scheduled for production and delivery over the life of the contract.