October 28, 2008
UHST Completes Near Strike Lightning Tests
Unit Hub SATCOM Trucks (UHST) produced by General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies are completing vigorous acceptance tests by the U.S. Army.
 Production of the UHST units is part of SATCOM Technologies' $130 Million Increment One Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) program contract from the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command in Fort Monmouth, N.J. to provide specialized satellite communications earth terminals and support services. Under the current contract, SATCOM Technologies is providing the U.S. Army UHST units and trailer-style Satellite Transportable Terminals (STT).
The new UHST are interoperable with previously fielded units and provide Ku or Ka-Band operation. The SATCOM trucks are integrated, assembled and tested at SATCOM Technologies' facilities in Duluth, Georgia and Kilgore, Texas.
UHST has recently completed Near Strike Lightning Tests directed by the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center in coordination with the Electromagnetic Compatibility Branch at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Patuxent River, Maryland.
 The purpose of the test is to evaluate the ability of the UHST to survive exposure to Near Strike Lightning in accordance with MIL-Std-464A. During the tests, the lightning simulators generate 2.5mega volts in an open air spark approximately 1 meter from the SATCOM unit to simulate fields generated by Near Strike Lightning. Prior to and after the lightning strike tests, UHST was put through a standard operational test to acquire a specific satellite and transmit and receive satellite communications. The UHST unit passed all tests flawlessly.
"SATCOM Technologies is delivering four UHST units to the Army under the current contract," said Tom Proctor, SATCOM Technologies Director of Government Programs. "However, Increment One of WIN-T is a base plus four option years contract that has a total potential value of $721 million. SATCOM Technologies could be called upon to deliver 1,233 STTs and 44 UHSTs if all options are exercised," he added.
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