Oslo, Norway, 26 January 2012 – Vizada Networks, a leading Satellite Communications Provider and System Integrator, recently acquired by Astrium, has completed the installation of a custom designed VSAT Camp Antenna System (VCAS) for FMV, the Swedish Defence Material Administration. The antenna system will be used by the Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF) within their role as members of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Afghanistan.

FMV handled the commercial and technical part of this procurement, appointing Vizada Networks as the preferred supplier following an open RFP, whilst operation of the system in theatre is performed by SwAF.

In addition to providing the best balanced value/technical proposal, the RFP required the supplier to have the logistical and technical presence in theatre to guarantee Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) of less than 4 hours for any electrical part (BUC, LNB, control units, fibre conversion units etc) of the VCAS, when applicable spare parts and personal are available.

The scope of supply included design, implementation, and integration of the VCAS, on-site installation, testing and training. The VCAS is based on a 3.8m Antenna that may be operated in the X-band, Ku-band, C-band frequencies by changing the antenna feed and RF-equipment. In addition to the antenna itself, Vizada Networks engineers also installed the RF Ku-band kit and Spectrum Analysers before carrying out in-depth operator and technical training on the system.

“FMV has a focus on high technology and as a full capability satellite communications provider we have been able to meet both its technical and logistical requirments with this, the first installation we have performed for the administration,” comments Thomas Åstrom, Business Development Director, Vizada Networks Defence Division. ”In addition to our work with NATO and other national defence organisations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo, this project shows our ability to provide sophisticated communications systems for armed forces in theatre, and we look forward to any co-operation with FMV in the future.”

Subsequent to the completion of the VCAS, the Swedish Defence Material Administration has recently awarded Vizada Networks the contract to develop and install a second VCAS.

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About Astrium
Astrium is the number one company in Europe and the third in the world for space technologies. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems and services. In 2010, Astrium had a turnover of €5 billion and 18,000 employees worldwide, mainly in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain, Norway and the Netherlands. Its three main areas of activity are Astrium Space Transportation for launchers and orbital infrastructure, Astrium Satellites for spacecraft and ground segment, and Astrium Services for comprehensive end-to-end solutions covering secure and commercial satcoms and networks, high security satellite communications equipment, bespoke geo-information and navigation services worldwide.

For more information about Vizada Networks, visit www.astrium.eads.net.

This press release can also be downloaded from the Saltwater online press office at www.saltwaterpr.com