Kymeta wins ONR contract to advance ku/ka multi-band satcom technology. * 14 April 2026 (Image credit: Kymeta) Kymeta Government & Defense, the world-leading flat-panel satellite terminal manufacturer, has won a significant contract with the Office for Naval Research (ONR) to further develop its breakthrough multi-band, multi-beam antenna architecture. The three-year development contract from the ONR will enable Kymeta to mature and expedite the research of its world-first innovation - multi-band connectivity with four concurrent full-duplex beams in Ku- and Ka-band frequencies with a single antenna aperture. The technology was first successfully demonstrated in April 2025 and has since been demonstrated to multiple US DOD departments and agencies. ONR is interested in advancing Kymeta KuKa technology as it aligns with the goal of the Communications and Networking Program within the C5ISRT Department (ONR 31), which supports the Navy's Information Warfare vision by developing measurable advances in technology that directly enable and enhance end-to-end connectivity and quality of service for mission-critical information exchange among widely dispersed naval, joint, and coalition forces. High-performance antenna/arrays, for tactical platforms or unmanned systems with constrained size, weight, and power, are an important enabler for Distributed Maritime Operations. First KuKa Terminal Prototype for Bascom Hunter The transition from development to a full-scale prototype now also becomes a reality, as Bascom Hunter, a leader in the design, development, and manufacture of advanced electronics in resilient communications, signal processing, artificial intelligence (AI), and signal intelligence in aerospace and defense applications, has provided Kymeta with a purchase order for the first terminal prototype with the KuKa technology. The agreement with Bascom Hunter will see Kymeta deliver the FIRST single-antenna, multi-band, multi-orbit SATCOM terminal for testing and evaluation, starting in Q2 2026 as part of its existing relationship with the US Navy. Kymeta's terminal, named in development as the 'Kymeta KuKa 8 Series', is a next-generation electronically steered user terminal with the highest capability density of any satcom antenna ever designed. It enables simultaneous operation across both Ku and Ka frequency bands within a single, compact, low-profile flat-panel antenna. It will enable pathway diversity across proliferated LEO and hybrid architectures - integrating GEO, MEO, LEO, and HEO, plus other WAN connections simultaneously and dynamically without the size, weight, power, and complexity challenges associated with traditional multi-antenna approaches. Leveraging Kymeta's shared aperture architecture, which uses the full antenna surface across multiple frequency bands rather than dividing the antenna into multiple panels, the new hybrid Kymeta KuKa terminal enables higher RF efficiency, narrower beamwidths, significantly lower power consumption, and a lower heat signature in a compact form factor ideal for naval vessels, unmanned autonomous systems, and other defense platforms. The prototype will be evaluated across multiple commercial and government satellite architectures to support resilient, multi-orbit, multi-band operations. Matthew Sieber, Senior Director Programs and Strategy at Kymeta, said: "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." "When we made our KuKa breakthrough last year, we knew it would have a transformational effect on military SATCOM capabilities," Sieber continued. "I've had conversations with stakeholders across US Defense about their requirements from satellite connectivity, and the answer is always the same: resilience through path diversity. A resilient and robust comms capability that never fails and supports responsive and agile operations while on the move. Kymeta's new terminal will deliver on that need." Tasked with developing multi-band, multi-orbit SATCOM solutions for this program assessment, Bascom Hunter rapidly delivers capabilities resilient to the threat by the relentless pursuit of the warfighter's needs via a state-of-the-art multi-waveform, software-defined modem and associated 3U VPX plug-in card modules. Bascom Hunter's solution addresses key elements of increased MILSATCOM survivability through anti-jam, beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS), and multi-path communications in LEO, MEO, and GEO for the Navy. Kymeta's KuKa 8 Series terminal enables flexible, low-SWaP access to commercial and military Ku- and Ka-band networks, providing a highly mobile, flat-panel solution suited for maritime, airborne, and expeditionary platforms. When integrated with Bascom Hunter's multi-waveform, software-defined modem, and 3U VPX modules, the combined system delivers resilient, multi-orbit SATCOM connectivity capable of supporting Navy operations in highly contested environments. 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 multi-band, 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." These efforts cement Kymeta as the leading multi-band, multi-orbit, flat-panel terminal provider for the US DOD, currently deployed across the globe. This announcement builds on the momentum of being selected as the multi-orbit SATCOM provider for the US Army's Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2) Pilot in Q3 2025. Further partnerships across the Department of Defense are in motion and will be announced in due course. Following Kymeta's KuKa world-first technological breakthrough in April 2025, this announcement represents a significant milestone in the company's multi-band product roadmap. With established interest from national security stakeholders in the US and globally, Kymeta will continue to roll out its KuKa terminals for defense use cases in 2026. The terminals will also be available for a broad range of commercial use cases, including maritime, transportation, and emergency services, among others. More in Defense & Security

Eutelsat LEO rail connectivity on track for gains. Eutelsat detailed growing options for rail connectivity from its OneWeb LEO satellites, with flat-panel terminal manufacturer Kymeta and EchoStar subsidiary Hughes Network Systems each working on fresh units to expand use cases. Eva Bisgaard, president of Eutelsat's Connectivity Business Unit, stated rail industry connectivity is a prime target for low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity due to the routes traversed and passenger demand for on-board access. Eutelsat stated Kymeta and Hughes Network Systems are working on "dedicated, ruggedised" hardware for the rail sector which is optimised for its OneWeb LEO network. Kymeta separately explained it is developing the Kestrel u5, which is being configured to provide full-duplex connectivity from the Eutelsat network in a rugged form-factor sporting IP69K and IP68 ratings. It stated Kestrel u5 is purpose built for the rail sector, though could also be used in construction, mining and agricultural equipment, markets SVP of Global Commercial Business Lilac Muller highlighted are "increasingly data driven" and so require more consistent connectivity. "What we're seeing now is a shift, where innovation in terminal receivers with LEO networks are enabling connectivity on-the-move like never before," Muller said. Eutelsat makes OneWeb LEO available globally through a network of distribution partners, specialist integrators and direct deals with rail operators. It stated deployments in Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America are already in the books. Along with passenger connectivity, its LEO birds are providing coverage for rail operational systems spanning signalling, train control, supervisory control and data acquisition, and safety procedures.

Kymeta Corporation has unveiled the Kestrel u5, a compact multi-orbit satellite terminal designed for unmanned systems, national security operations and high-speed industrial mobility. The terminal is now available for order, with production units expected within a month. The Kestrel u5 switches between satellite beams in under one millisecond across LEO, GEO, HEO and Elliptical orbits. Built with a no-moving-parts architecture, it features patent-pending water-shedding technology, shock absorption and can withstand submersion. The terminal consumes less than 100 watts and uses metamaterials-based antenna surface for a narrow beam, reducing interference risk. For commercial applications, the terminal mounts on rail carriages and industrial vehicles, offering full-duplex LEO connectivity with low latency. It holds IP69K and IP68 ratings for durability in harsh environments.