The new MET satellite provides enhanced communications capabilities. (U.S. Army photo courtesy of WESS)
Mission Area
February 3, 2020
Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems (WESS) delivered three Modernization of Enterprise Terminals (MET), the most advanced satellite terminals within the government sector, at Fort Meade, Bahrain, and Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, between the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2020.
These terminals provide long haul, strategic satellite communications capabilities to users that range from the White House to the warfighter on the battlefield. They operate around the clock, enabling global communications with orbiting satellites and other earth terminals to ensure communication is always available.
The MET allows the use of mission-critical dual X and Ka bands, increasing the capabilities of military SATCOM to the Department of Defense.
“This strategic asset impacts the warfighter and the commander-in-chief alike," said WESS product manager, Lt. Col. Anthony Whitfield. "The Modernization of these Enterprise Terminals provide warfighters with the ability to leverage the legacy Defense Satellite Communication System and the next generation Wideband Global Satellite constellations for a significant increase in the throughput capacity over legacy terminals.”
These projects were completed thanks to the work of the MET implementation team at WESS, driven by key team members Carlos Benjamin and Kenneth Trigg. As site coordination leads, both provided expert and dedicated service to ensure mission success.
WESS falls within the portfolio of the Project Manager for Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems (DCATS), which enables information dominance for the Army, Department of Defense, National Command Authority, and International Partners by acquiring, implementing, and sustaining strategic satellite and terrestrial communication systems, and by leading technologies to meet current and future requirements.