Newtec (News - Alert) recently announced its Cross-Layer-Optimization technology for improving IP traffic has been selected for implementation with the EURO HAWK Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). The company boasts global experts in satellite communications.

EURO HAWK is the result of a collaborative initiative between Cassidian, an EADS (News - Alert) company, and Northrop Grumman. The UAS at present is the largest unmanned aerial system within the German airspace.

"It's a milestone for us,” said Rüdiger Knöpfel, the head of the unmanned project department at the German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB). “It represents nearly ten years of concept preparation and development. At 15 metres long, a wingspan of 40 metres and take-off weight of approximately 15 tons, the Euro Hawk by far outstrips other UAS types."

The EURO HAWK, designed to collect certain satellite data, can remain airborne for 30 hours or more, and can cover distances of more than 20,000 km once fully fuelled.

The UAS, which flies at an altitude of 20,000 meters, leverages the SIGnals INTelligence (SIGINT) system to detect and collect information, which it gathers from ELectronic INTelligence (ELINT) radar emitters and from communications emitters. The system then transmits the collected information to the ground stations all in real-time to ensure faster and accurate analysis and dissemination.

"The EURO HAWK is an important asset for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance operations for Germany and its partner states, and has Newtec technology at its core,” said Serge Van Herck, CEO at Newtec.  “Key to this project was providing expertise and the right solution to ensure the satellite link for Beyond-Line-of-Sight communications. Newtec technology allows the most data and video as possible through the satellite link whilst providing optimal availability to assure mission critical communications."

The Newtec Cross-Layer-Optimization solution features robust shaping and compression technology and integrates TCP communication technology.  The integration of the different technologies optimizes the communication link.

The system also allows easy configuration to ensure maximum availability and bandwidth for any application that runs on the EURO HAWK interaction and data transmission.