The Spanish company Indra continues advancing with the development and certification of its new satellite communications system for submarines with the completion of the TSUB-40Ka, a terminal designed to increase the operational capacity of these platforms. The company completed the development and testing process, consolidating a system that allows broadband communications through Ka-band satellite technology and that adapts to the space constraints typical of the submarine environment.
The TSUB-40Ka uses the military Ka-band, which offers higher transmission speeds and more compact antennas compared to X-bands for military use or Ku-bands for civilian use. This feature facilitates the incorporation of advanced connectivity capabilities in modern submarines, allowing data transmission at speeds above one megabit per second and expanding link possibilities in governmental and military operations.
The use of the Ka-band also provides relevant operational advantages, as it combines the robustness of MIL-STD/STANAG military standards with high-capacity performance. This integration enables a qualitative leap in the management of critical information in environments requiring high availability and security, contributing to greater efficiency in naval operations.
The certification of the TSUB-40Ka by HISDESAT to operate with the SpainSat NG system, which integrates X, military Ka, and UHF bands, guarantees that the terminal will function over a sovereign satellite communications infrastructure. This validation ensures a secure and high-capacity link, prepared to respond to the strategic challenges of the next decade and aligned with the needs of submarine platforms that demand greater bandwidth.
The terminal’s compatibility with SpainSat NG allows full use of the advanced capabilities of this new generation of satellites. The infrastructure provides communications more resilient against interference, cyberattacks, and adverse conditions in the space environment, strengthening operational continuity in critical missions.
With this development, Indra addresses the growing need to improve connectivity in demanding operational environments, where real-time information transmission has become a central element. The TSUB-40Ka expands the maneuvering margin of navies by providing them with more robust and higher-capacity links, suitable for multi-domain scenarios that require interoperability between units and systems.
Indra maintains a consolidated presence in the naval field as a technological partner of international shipyards and a provider of advanced systems. Its solutions cover electronic warfare, radars, communications and sensors, as well as emerging technologies related to the combat cloud and seabed protection. This trajectory reinforces its role as a key provider in next-generation naval capabilities and in the development of systems aimed at increasing connectivity in maritime operations.
*Illustrative images of an S-80 submarine of the Spanish Navy.
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