Outerlink Global Solutions to Equip B-52 Stratofortress With Satcom Capability

Outerlink Global Solutions will outfit the U.S. Air Force’s B-52 Stratofortress long-range, heavy bomber with the Iris communications equipment powered by Iridium satellites. Work will be performed under a four-year, $26 million Strategic Funding Increase contract award.

Iris offers the Iridium Short Burst Data service, two-way messaging and asset tracking and monitoring, even in remote locations. In June 2022, Outerlink demonstrated the platform’s beyond-line-of-sight communication capability during a B-52 flight at Barksdale Air Force Base under an AFWERX Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract. 

The product test showed that Iris reduced data transmission times and enabled the sending of video files and push-to-talk radio communications worldwide, AF .mil reported. 

Iris is paired with an Iridium Certus terminal, which connects with the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation to enable global coverage and deliver a bandwidth capacity of up to 704 Kbps. Iris is set to replace the Global Iridium Bomber Set, which has been in service since 2017, to make the B-52 fleet compatible with the Joint All-Domain Command and Control concept. 

The STRATFI contract supports the Air Force Global Strike Command’s modernization efforts to maintain its readiness in future conflicts.