Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Defence

SDC awarded BPA by US DISA

Provider of Inmarsat aeronautical satellite connectivity services to the US Military, Department of Defense (DoD), state and local agencies, Satcom Direct Communications (SDC), has been re-awarded a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) by the US Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).


Courtesy Satcom Direct Communications

This five-year agreement, which is a renewal of the previous BPA contract awarded to SDC in 2012, allows SDC to provide secure voice and broadband data services to support global aeronautical missions for the DoD and other federal agency bodies. The contract is also an important milestone in the military government market, as this will be the first US government procurement contract in place for Aeronautical Inmarsat GX services. The agreement has a ceiling value of $245 million over the life of the contract, which is one base year and four option years.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

US government users will continue to benefit from easy ordering access to quickly establish worldwide connectivity on board all Inmarsat-equipped aircraft via SDC.  As an Inmarsat Tier 1 Distribution Partner and Value-Added Reseller, SDC supplies the full range of Inmarsat L-band solutions, including SwiftBroadband, BGAN, FleetBroadband, Swift64 and Classic Aero services, as well as the new Ka-band service, Global Xpress (GX), to US government users.

SDC optimises and enhances connectivity experience with the provision of Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Ka-band high-speed broadband communications satellite network, providing seamless reliable worldwide mobile connectivity at speeds up to 15 Mbps. With the Satcom Direct Router (SDR) and SDC’s custom built value-added services, such as SkyBond channel bonding and aggregation solution, SDC also enables the fastest SwiftBroadband inflight data speeds worldwide.
 
The aeronautical services will be supported by SDC’s comprehensive terrestrial network and the Melbourne, Florida-based SD Data Center of its affiliated company, Satcom Direct, to ensure secure transmission of all U.S. DoD data-transfers from aircraft to U.S. Government specified locations. Combined, the services will ensure always-on global connectivity, even in the most geographically challenging locations.  In addition, all users will have access to the SD Pro® integrated software flight platform to monitor and manage their connectivity services and usage in real time. SD Pro delivers flight planning, scheduling, flight tracking, flight data, connectivity monitoring, and maintenance tracking via a single, simple, fast and secure access point.
 
“Satcom Direct Communications has a proven track record of serving the U.S. government with the best combination of technology solutions and support tools for all users, from individuals through to complex DoD missions. With the addition of the powerful GX service we anticipate providing a best-in-class global connectivity solution for U.S. military, diplomatic, intelligence and civilian government aviation users,” said Stefan Tilliard, Vice President of SDC.
 
SDC also provides consistent, 24/7/365, customer support which resolves service issues, and troubleshoots terminal and equipment issues, as well as “core” Inmarsat services. “We have an extensive understanding of how connectivity is used by these customers, who are often operating critical missions in extreme environments. This in-depth knowledge, expertise and our proven capability in managing requirements and exceeding expectations, even in the most difficult of circumstances, certainly contributed to SDC being awarded the BPA for a second time. This BPA further validates our capabilities, and we look forward to continuing to support DISA and our U.S. government airborne users to meet their specific mission requirements,” added Tilliard. 

Satcom Direct Communications (SDC) is a technology innovator, providing global connectivity solutions for military, government, and heads of state aircraft. SDC also supports operations in areas with connectivity limitations such as remote locations, large scale events, and disaster recovery.
 
Since 1997, SDC and its affiliate, Satcom Direct, have worked to advance the technology of connectivity, making SDC the first in the marketplace to deliver numerous advancements and capabilities. The company is an Inmarsat Distribution Partner and Value Added Reseller for Global Xpress. 
 
SDC’s headquarters and primary operations centre is Melbourne, Florida, with its international office located in Farnborough, UK.

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
GA-ASI showcases unmanned systems at Paris Air Show

Aerospace Defence

GA-ASI showcases unmanned systems at Paris Air Show

16 June 2025

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) returns to Paris in 2025 with a variety of new products and concepts highlighting the future of uncrewed airpower.

More than 200 vital support trucks fielded to British Army Units

Defence

More than 200 vital support trucks fielded to British Army Units

16 June 2025

More than 200 support trucks bought under a rapid procurement process are now in the hands of the British Army and are being used on vital training exercises, with more to follow.

Astroscale awarded £5.15m contract for Orpheus mission

Defence Security Space

Astroscale awarded £5.15m contract for Orpheus mission

16 June 2025

Astroscale Ltd has been awarded a contract worth £5.15 million by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), via BAE Systems as the Dstl Serapis Framework lead.

HMS Venturer takes to the water

Defence

HMS Venturer takes to the water

16 June 2025

Following a carefully coordinated marine transfer, HMS Venturer has now returned to Babcock's Rosyth facility where outfitting and systems integration will continue in preparation for sea trials.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
BAE Systems trialling Avioniq’s decision aid tech on Typhoon

Defence

BAE Systems trialling Avioniq’s decision aid tech on Typhoon

16 June 2025

BAE Systems is working alongside Avioniq to trial AI-driven decision aid technology on Eurofighter Typhoon to explore how it could give fighter jet pilots uniquely optimised threat updates whilst airborne.

Value of aerospace, defence, security and space to UK up 64% in 10 years

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Value of aerospace, defence, security and space to UK up 64% in 10 years

16 June 2025

The UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors added £42.2 billion to the UK economy in 2024, according to new data from ADS, equating to a 64% increase over the last decade.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025