USAF Picks Gogo’s SD Government for C-130J/J Satcom

SD Government, Gogo’s division that provides satellite communications to governments around the globe, has received U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command T-1 certification for a roll-on/roll-off Tactical Removeable Airborne Satellite Communications (TRASC) system for Lockheed Martin C-130H and -J transports. There are some 1,000 C-130H/Js in service, with half of these in U.S. military fleets.

This certification initially includes a Gogo Plane Simple Ku-band terminal but will expand to offer a Plane Simple Ka-band terminal and other network compatibilities. The TRASC system includes a hatch-mounted satellite antenna, an antenna controller, a router, and an executive communications kit. Electromagnetic interference/electromagnetic compatibility testing has been completed to both Block 6 and 8 standards on the C-130H/J.

The TRASC housing is optimized for installation within the C-130’s multipurpose hatch system in less than 30 minutes, enabling immediate plug-and-play global broadband capability. The system’s ease of installation and removal means several TRASC units can be shared among multiple C-130H/Js, according to Gogo senior v-p of government sales Ben Massey.

T-1 approval paves the way for sister commands and partner nations—including Japan, Australia, and New Zealand—to implement the roll-on/roll-off satcom system.

TRASC uses geostationary satellites—the Intelsat network for Ku-band and Viasat for Ka-band—to provide secure high-speed airborne connectivity that permits videoconferencing and other communications. For example, Massey said, special forces can use TRASC to get briefings en route to the mission.

“We are proud to deliver a platform that gives military forces much-needed situational awareness to support global command and control decisions," said SD Government executive v-p Hayden Olson. "It also makes the C-130 much more resilient and consistently connected during training and operational missions. This capability instantaneously brings all C-130 variants into the modern age of high-throughput beyond-line-of-sight communications.”

According to Massey, the company is exploring a similar roll-on/roll-off satcom system for the Airbus A400M. This military transport came equipped with an Inmarsat Swift64 satcom, but that satellite network reached the end of its life in December 2020, leaving these aircraft without connectivity.

In addition, SD Government is touting its OneWeb-based Galileo low-earth-orbit satellite-based connectivity system for military and special-mission aircraft. Massy said Galileo is ideal for special-mission aircraft of all sizes.