US Navy could soon start using SpaceX’s Starlink satellites completely to get high-speed network across its all bases and ships. The satellite internet connectivity is expected to boost the Navy’s operations.
Currently, the US Navy uses the Pentagon’s satellites for connectivity. However, six geostationary satellites used for internet access provide slow connectivity to the Navy.
To achieve faster speed, the US Navy has recently started using Starlink and the UK’s Eutelsat OneWeb.
6 days ago
The low-Earth orbiting satellites could boost connectivity for the US Navy. (Representational image)
Low-Earth orbiting satellites could boost connectivity
The low-Earth orbiting satellites could boost connectivity for the Navy, and ships equipped with the set up of these service providers are expected to have internet speed of about 1Gbps.
“Known as Sailor Edge Afloat and Ashore, or SEA2, this new functionality utilizes low-orbit satellites to bring high-speed Internet capability to ships and shore sites,” wrote DoD’s DVIDS news service.
“What started as the passion project of Commander Kevin White, a combat systems officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), has turned into a sweeping new system with applications across the entire Navy.”
USS Abraham Lincoln using the satellite internet system
Equipped with Starlink and OneWeb equipment, the USS Abraham Lincoln has been using the satellite internet system for quite some time. The high-speed connectivity is being used for both tactical and non-military purposes, including streaming the Super Bowl.
SEA2 was officiated 20 times faster than any other program in the past. A noteworthy accomplishment was SEA2’s cybersecurity certification, which has never been done before. Previous internet solutions had no full authority to operate and were only tolerated, according to DoD’s DVIDS.
“This is a once in a lifetime transformation for the warfighter, and we are pressing to deliver it to the fleet as fast and aggressively as possible. We are also focusing on getting the maximum value from this capability in parallel with delivering it,” said Rob Wolborsky, chief engineer at (Naval Information Warfare Systems Command) NAVWAR.
“It will be a leap forward in quality of service afloat for both quality of life and work. The sky, or even better space, is the limit to what can and will be done with this capability once we get it into the hands of our warfighters.”
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Navy realized the need for increased connectivity during COVID-19
The Navy realized the need for increased connectivity during COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. Due to country restrictions, ships were unable to perform port calls, and it was severing their connection to the rest of the world.
The US Navy is likely receiving the Starlink access through SpaceX’s Starshield program, which is designed to offer satellite internet connectivity to government agencies. Last year, SpaceX received a Pentagon contract for Starshield to supply communications to the US Armed Forces, reported PC Mag.
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Prabhat Ranjan Mishra Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.
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