The technology is designed for ground use in remote areas with harsh weather and where the movement and installation of large standard rigid satellite antennas is challenging.

Each year the award is presented to a company that has demonstrated excellence in new products and technologies within their industry. The recipient company has shown innovation by launching an emerging product and technology that meets customers' needs.

The patented design combines the transmission power advantages of a large antenna with the low weight and portability of a small aperture antenna. GATR's terrestrial application for inflatable antennas is unique.

The first production system will be a 2.4-meter inflatable radome C and Ku-band satellite system. The antenna weighs only about 11 pounds and is easily transportable in a small vehicle, checkable luggage, or can be shipped by standard carrier when deflated; the whole system weighs less than 75 pounds.

The technology has received research and development seed money from the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to demonstrate its feasibility.

Recently, GATR was awarded a Department of Defense Missile Defense Agency contract to develop, obtain certification, and field test inflatable satellite antennas. The contract is administered by the Army Space and Missile Defense Command.

"GATR demonstrated their responsiveness in Biloxi, Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina," said Bradley Curran, a Frost and Sullivan research analyst. "GATR established the only remote Internet connection available, and helped members of the U.S. Army, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, CBS broadcast affiliates, and private citizens with essential communications."

GATR's product has many potential applications beyond MDA needs. Military units at all levels can use this rapidly deployable and reliable technology. U.S. military satellite communications antenna procurement for programs such as Tactical Operations Centers, Global Command and Control, Special Operations Communications, and Defense Enterprise Wideband Satellite Communications is expected to be worth $25.7 million in 2007.

In addition to the obvious military applications, the technology shows potential for public safety and disaster recovery, commercial broadcast, and recreational uses. Allied nations, non-governmental organizations, emergency response organizations, broadcasters, and recreational users are also expected to make use of GATR's small size, low weight, and simplified logistics, maintenance and operational procedures as primary or backup equipment.

Large satellite communications providers such as Intelsat (recently merged with PanAmSat) and lead systems integrators are finding marketing agreements which include a flexible alternative antenna to their standard programs will give customers new capabilities and increase sales. The commercial version of this inflatable SatCom solution is scheduled for release in Q4-2006.

"GATR Technologies satellite antenna product innovation is demonstrated by its understanding of the need for an easily deployable, high bandwidth, satellite communications capability for military and emergency response applications," Curran said. "The innovative design and efficient packaging are vast improvements over conventional designs, at a fraction of the cost."

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