Ku/Ka-Band Antennas Aid Marine Operations

The U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) has awarded a three-year development contract to Kymeta Government & Defense for multiband, multibeam Ku/Ka-band satellite antenna technology. The advanced antennas and terminals are expected to play key roles in mission-critical marine operations.

The first terminal is planned for delivery to ONR partner Bascom Hunter in 2026 for testing and development. The antenna technology, first demonstrated in 2025, achieves multiband connectivity with four concurrent full-duplex beams at Ku- and Ka-band frequencies from a single antenna aperture.

The KuKa 8 Series antennas and terminals from Kymeta provide low size, weight, and power (SWaP) access to commercial and military Ku- and Ka‑band networks by means of a mobile communications solution suited for maritime, airborne, and expeditionary platforms. They integrate with Bascom Hunter’s software‑defined modem and 3U VPX modules to form multiple-orbit, satellite-communications (satcom) links at available Ku- and Ka-band frequencies.

The electronically steered user terminal features high electronic density to serve both frequency bands with a single flat-panel antenna. It can operate within satcom systems at many altitudes, including low-Earth-orbit (LEO), medium-Earth-orbit (MEO), and geosynchronous-Earth-orbit (GEO) systems.

According to Matthew Sieber, Senior Director Programs and Strategy at Kymeta, “True satcom resilience is provided by network diversity rather than dependence on a single network. ONR recognizes the need for capabilities that allow seamless switching between networks and frequency bands, ensuring resilient and uninterrupted connectivity.

"This capability is essential, because being disconnected, even momentarily, is not an option. Reliable access to critical data can determine mission success or failure, enable clear real-time decision-making, and ultimately influence whether fleets return home safely.” 

Craig Gendron, Vice-President – SATCOM at Bascom Hunter, added, “Our responsibility is to deliver resilient, mission-ready satcom capabilities that directly address the Navy’s operational requirements in contested environments. Kymeta KuKa technology introduces a powerful new dimension of multiband, multi-orbit flexibility that complements our multi-waveform, software-defined modem architecture. Together, this integration enables a scalable, survivable communications solution designed to ensure connectivity for the warfighter.”