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Airbus US Exec Robert Geckle Sees Strong Demand for Laser Communication Terminals

Airbus US Exec Robert Geckle Sees Strong Demand for Laser Communication Terminals - top government contractors - best government contracting event

Robert Geckle, chairman and CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, said the company is planning to produce satellite laser communications terminals in the U.S. in the next couple of years, Breaking Defense reported Tuesday.

“I’m seeing a real strong demand signal for laser comms, for investment in laser communication terminals. Also star trackers, also other elements, but I’m focusing on laser communication terminals because I think that’s the strongest candidate to build in the US,” he told the publication.

I would predict that we’ll be doing that in the next two years,” Geckle added.

Optical intersatellite links and other optical communications systems are key to enabling networks of low-Earth orbit satellites that governments and companies develop to provide high-speed, space-based communications and support remote sensing and other missions.

Geckle noted that Airbus currently manufactures most of its “space equipment” in Europe through its Germany-based Tesat-Spacecom subsidiary. He said he believes there is an opportunity for the U.S. arm of Airbus to bring a European-made technology to the U.S. and “Americanize it” for national security and military applications.

“Everybody wins. The shareholder wins, the taxpayer wins, the warfighter wins,” he added.

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Written by Jane Edwards

is a staff writer at Executive Mosaic, where she writes for ExecutiveBiz about IT modernization, cybersecurity, space procurement and industry leaders’ perspectives on government technology trends.

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