Iridium Communications, which offers a mobile voice and data satellite communications network spanning the globe, has been awarded a contract from Defense Information Systems Agency (News - Alert) (DISA) worth up to $47 million.

The five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, Is for the upgrade of the Defense Department's dedicated Iridium (News - Alert) gateway.

Company officials said as part of the contract, the company will provide hardware, software and integration services to successfully upgrade the gateway and to ensure the gateway's compatibility with Iridium NEXT, the company's next generation satellite constellation.

"We are honored to be able to continue our longstanding relationship with our most strategic customer, the Department of Defense (DoD)," said Scott Scheimreif, acting executive vice president, government programs, Iridium.

"We have been working together for many years, providing critical communications services to military installations and personnel around the world. The upgrades we will make under this new agreement will ensure the DoD's ability to leverage the unique capabilities of Iridium NEXT and to improve and enhance communications capabilities for our warfighters well into the future," said Scheimreif.

Iridium NEXT, on schedule to begin launching in 2015, is the largest commercial space program underway anywhere in the world, according to the company. Once fully operational, the constellation of 66 low-Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites and six in-orbit spares will extend Iridium's position as a critical communications partner for customers like the DoD, as well as the company's more than 275 commercial partners and consumers.

Back in June, Iridium Communications announced that German shipping company Reederei Werner Bockstiegel selected Iridium Pilot to upgrade its shipping fleet with broadband communications.