Skynet-270BAE Systems is involved in both bids for a new satellite communications system for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and a "Chinese Wall" has been built between the two projects.
British Telecom, BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin's bid for the $3 billion, 15-year Skynet 5 contract is being made under the name of Rosetta Global Communications.
Skynet 5 will be an MoD satellite project to replace the existing Skynet 4 satellite system but unlike the earlier project, will be procured as a Private Finance Initiative.
Skynet 5 will offer the MoD and other government users with access to a secure anytime-anywhere communications services worldwide ranging from strategic communications to links to homes for armed forces personnel.
The MoD awarded the Lockheed Martin-led team one of two $48 million, 20 month contracts for a Project Definition Study in April 1999. It also awarded a similar contract to a Matra Marconi Space-led consortium known as Paradigm.
Source: Flight Daily News
