Indra incorporates Celestia TTI into FCAS programme to accelerate the development of next-generation satellite communications

Celestia TTI and Indra, as national industrial coordinator of the NGWS/FCAS programme in Spain, have reached a collaboration agreement to jointly develop next-generation antennas to design advanced communications systems for FCAS. 

Both companies will work more specifically on multi-purpose antennas capable of covering different needs and bands, both civil and military, and establishing links with satellite networks in geostationary, high, medium and low orbits. They will also develop internal links to facilitate the integration of the different systems on board the aircraft, thus reinforcing distributed data processing and improving situational awareness. 

Indra programme manager Alejandro Serrano said: "The development of the combat cloud, which will facilitate the creation of a collaborative space between multiple air, naval and ground platforms, will mark a turning point in the world of defence. The agreement we have reached with Celestia TTI will allow us to accelerate its development in the field of communications, exploring new concepts and technologies that will shape the future of defence". 

Miguel Peña, Commercial Director of Celestia, said: "This strategic agreement represents the joining of forces of both companies for the advancement of the industry at national level, which is positioned at the forefront of the market. It is undoubtedly a great opportunity that allows us to continue with the cutting-edge technology that we have been developing at Celestia TTI in the field of next-generation antenna arrays for years". 

NGWS/FCAS is a programme driven by Germany, Spain and France, as equal partners, which have appointed Airbus GmbH, Indra and Dassault Aviation as national coordinators, putting them at the forefront of their respective industries. The objective of the programme (NGWS/FCAS) is the development of a ‘system of systems’ consisting of a combat aircraft and several unmanned aerial platforms or carriers, all coordinated by a combat cloud that will allow all elements belonging to the defence ecosystem to act in a combined and collaborative manner, as a single entity. This will be a revolutionary concept to address the challenges that defence will face throughout this century.