This Sunday, U.S. troops based on submarines and ships in the Persian Gulf, the Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean, will be receiving classified drone video feeds in order to get in on this year’s Super Bowl action. The high tech video feed will also be transferred to remote outposts in Afghanistan, so the troops there won’t have to miss out on the big game either.

Although missing out on the expensive hyped up commercials because of contractual rules, this allows thousands of remote personnel to see Joe Flacco and his team take on Colin Kaepernick and his team, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

The technology involves hopping from satellite to satellite resulting in a one or two second delay of the signal, nary a concern for a TV-deprived group of football fans. This broadcast, leveraging the Global Broadcast Service (GBS), in parnterhip with the American Forces Radio and Television Service, Raytheon and the U.S. Air Force, is a great way to boost morale for the troops.

Other major sporting events have been trasmitted using this Global Broadcast Service in the past including World Series, NCAA Tournament final four and the Alabama vs. Notre Dame National Championship game.

The Super Bowl feed will be transferred to a receiver from an antenna atop the masts, then ported to flat panel screens around the submarine or ship.

Besides having the ability to watch major games to “stay connected” with their country, the GBS technology, more importantly allows the troops, regardless of where they are on the Earth (including above or below), to communicate with each other and pass along much needed data for security and safety.

It is Raytheon’s Navy Multiband Terminal’s (NMT), one of three types of terminals that support the Army, Navy and Air Force, that communicate with the satellites allowing the transmission of text, voice and video data.

Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellites, the military’s newest satellite technology, has increased data transfer rates to more than five times their predecessors. All three of Raytheon’s terminal types, including the Navy Multiband Terminal’s mentioned previously, have tested well with this new satellite technology.

With the intent on adding terminals to over 300 U.S. Navy ships, subs and shore stations in the future, the “big game” can be seen by more people in more places, hopefully in time to boost much needed morale and provide the home-connection they long for.

Source – DTV USA Forum