Low-SWaP LEO SATCOM for High-Speed Low-Latency ISR – HDX Solution
Airborne ISR and maritime patrol operators needed a lightweight, low profile SATCOM solution capable of Mbps level throughput, sub 150 ms latency, and full global—including polar—coverage to support emerging high data rate sensors and real time mission applications.
Challenge
Platforms—both manned and unmanned—faced:
- Severe SWaP limitations, especially on unpressurized airframes
- Growing demand for high‑speed data from advanced ISR sensors
- A requirement for low-latency to support rapid decision‑making
- Need for polar coverage, where traditional GEO networks underperform
- Desire for affordable alternatives to large, costly parabolic antennas
Solution
SD Government (SDG) deployed the HDX low SWaP LEO terminal, delivering 60/10 Mbps performance with <150 ms latency via the OneWeb LEO constellation. The system weighs ~10 kg with a compact flat panel antenna. SDG collaborated with OneWeb to create pooled airtime plans, reducing total cost for fleets, and provided certification pathways across multiple aircraft platforms.
Key Solution Components
Lightweight 10 kg Flat‑Panel LEO Terminal
- High‑throughput performance in a compact form factor suitable for unpressurized airframes
OneWeb LEO Global & Polar Coverage
- Consistent, low‑latency connectivity even in Arctic regions
Full Integration and Airtime Management
- SDG handles hardware sourcing, capacity leasing, and all integration engineering to deliver a predictable ISR communications pipeline