SATCOM

Royal Signals is responsible for the provision of all of the Army's tactical satellite ground terminals, providing strategic and operational satellite communications for all land-based Headquarters. The Corp's satellite capability is fielded by 2,7,16 and 30th Signal Regiments. There are currently a number of military satellite ground terminals in service, which in conjunction with the Skynet 5 military satellite constellation, provide high quality, high bandwidth communication links at very short notice anywhere in the world.

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TALON

The Talon system is a lightweight deployable terminal which can fulfil both tactical and strategic roles. It uses the best of the civilian world packaged to provide a terminal suitable for military use. Talon can be set up by 2 trained operators within 30 minutes, and is controlled by a ruggidised laptop. It is fully air transportable and is used by the Royal Signals regiments that support the Joint Task Force Headquarters (JTFHQ). It has been successfully used in the very harsh conditions of Iraq during Operation TELIC. 

BANTAM

Bantam is a smaller system with a narrower bandwidth, designed to be used on small deployments. It operates over the KU band up to 2Mbps depending on the area it is operating from.

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REACHER

The Reacher family of satellite ground terminals are provided as part of the PFI contract and are owned by Paradigm Services Ltd. but operated by Royal Signals Communication Systems Operators and Engineers.  Reacher provides the cornerstone of the satellite communications terminals for the UK MOD, delivering a range of services through robust, resilient and secure communication links.  Reacher is available in three variants, large, medium and Royal Marine terminals.  The large and medium terminals are mounted on the Mowag Duro 3 vehicle and the Royal Marine variant is mounted on the Hagglunds BV206 vehicle providing an increased mobility capability.

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SKYNET V

Skynet 5 is a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) with Paradigm Services Ltd. owning and managing the satellites in orbit and the controlling satellite groundstations. The Skynet 5 PFI also provides the deployable satellite ground terminals including the Reacher and Talon terminals.  Satellite communications provides a capability to extend the range of in-theatre communications systems such as FALCON and Cormorant as well as providing a connection to the UK fixed communications systems.  With the diverse range of military operations and the information required in today's digital environment, Military Satellite Communications are playing an increasingly important role in providing and sharing instantaneous voice and data between land, sea and air platforms.