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First tactical NTN connectivity over standard mobile devices

First tactical NTN connectivity over standard mobile devices

Technology News |
By Jean-Pierre Joosting



AST SpaceMobile has announced the successful demonstration of the first Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) tactical satellite communications delivering high-throughput data, voice, and video using unmodified mobile devices in collaboration with privately held Fairwinds Technologies.

The NTN field test showcased key defence-related use cases, including real-time connectivity to the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) over a VPN, multimedia streaming via TAK, and secure multi-party video calls, all executed on standard, unmodified smartphones.

“This NTN demonstration represents a significant leap forward in advancing resilient, secure communications capabilities for the U.S. defence community,” said Chris Ivory, Chief Commercial and Government Business Officer at AST SpaceMobile. “We are enabling a new layer of mobile connectivity—directly from space to standard smartphones, with no need for specialised equipment, in support of national security objectives.”

“This is just the beginning,” said Timothy Hillner, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder of Fairwinds Technologies. We’re collaborating with AST SpaceMobile and the Defence Innovation Unit to deliver next-generation communications at the tactical edge, precisely where and when they’re needed most. This collaboration is enabling the future of command and control.”

This milestone NTN demonstration was conducted near AST SpaceMobile’s gateway facility on Oahu, Hawaii, with active participation from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), including representation from the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Army, U.S. Space Command, and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E) FutureG team.

AST SpaceMobile collaborated with Fairwinds Technologies on this demonstration. Fairwinds is a trusted partner providing program integration and military tactical network support as AST SpaceMobile explores direct-to-device satellite communications for U.S. government and defence applications.

This was the first in a series of planned prototype NTN demonstrations to evaluate space-based mobile broadband for defence applications, with additional testing, including over open ocean environments, planned in the coming months as the team continues to push the boundaries of multi-domain, space-based tactical communications.

https://ast-science.com
www.fairwinds-tech.com

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