MDA taps IAI for Amos-6 communications payload solution

MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) recently announced that Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will provide the satellite communications payload solution for the Amos-6 satellite. The MDA contract is worth more than $100 million.

MDA had begun working the project ever since receiving authorization back in June 2012.

Israeli satellite communications service provider Spacecom is the owner-operator of the Amos satellite constellation. The constellation delivers a large range of fixed and mobile communication services (such as Internet on satellite connectivity) to customers in Africa, the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.

Amos-6 will be the newest member of the Amos constellation. Set for a 2015 launch, it will refresh existing satellite capacity.

MDA and IAI have earlier cooperated in January 2008. MDA-built tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) served alongside IAI-designed Heron drone aircraft during Canada's mission in Afghanistan.