With the diverse range of military operations and the information required in today’s digital environment, satellite communications (SATCOM) are playing a vitally important
role in providing and sharing instantaneous voice and data between ground, sea and air platforms.
Skynet 5 provides all three Services of the UK Armed Forces with next generation military SATCOM services. It is delivering flexible, robust and fully integrated services, exploiting advances in technology to improve reliability,
survivability and security.
The Skynet 5 satellites are capable of beaming communications signals between headquarters in the UK and British forces deployed around the world. It is also being used in the field of welfare services, to help provide free
messages between service personnel on operations and their families and friends.
Skynet 5A was the first satellite of the constellation to be launched, in March 2007, followed by Skynet 5B in November 2007. Skynet 5C, launched in April 2008, will be the in-orbit ‘reserve’. The system replaced Skynet 4,
which had been the UK Armed Forces’ primary long-haul communications capability for some 15 years.