Kratos’ OpenSpace® Satellite Ground Platform Achieves MEF 3.0 Carrier Ethernet Certification

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a technology company in Defense, National Security and Global Markets, announced today that its OpenSpace^® Platform is the first commercially available, fully virtualized satellite ground system to achieve MEF 3.0 Carrier Ethernet certification. The OpenSpace Platform enables satellite operators to deliver and manage their services for applications including communications, MilSatcom, earth observation, remote sensing and more. Entirely software-defined and using the same industry standards adopted by global terrestrial and mobile network carriers, such as MEF’s Carrier Ethernet (CE) standard, OpenSpace makes satellite service networks interoperate seamlessly with terrestrial and cellular transport networks.

The convergence of satellite and telecom networks is predicted to lead to revenue gains of $35 billion by 2035 according to the GSMA, a global organization unifying the mobile ecosystem. Standards such as Carrier Ethernet play a critical role in this convergence by enabling satellite and telecommunications to integrate more easily. This convergence will benefit both industries: enabling terrestrial network providers to reach remote users who are inaccessible through fiber or cellular technologies while expanding the addressable market for satellite communications.

“Global communications carriers have traditionally viewed satellite as the ‘transport of last resort,’” according to Greg Quiggle, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Kratos. “The MEF 3.0 Carrier Ethernet certification validates that the OpenSpace Platform meets the highest telecom and cloud industry interconnectivity standards. With OpenSpace, satellite operators can mainstream their services for dynamic, performance-enhanced, orchestrated delivery through global telecom networks.”

MEF is a global industry association of network, cloud, security, and technology providers accelerating enterprise digital transformation. MEF 3.0 certifications offer a method for industry organizations to confirm compliance with industry-led MEF 3.0 standards for services, and the technology used to enable those services. OpenSpace is the first commercially available satellite communications ground system to be certified MEF 3.0 CE compliant.

Intelsat, one of the world’s largest commercial satellite operators, will employ the OpenSpace Platform as part of the advanced network being built to deliver services over their new family of software-defined satellites. According to Carmel Ortiz, Senior Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Intelsat, “Intelsat was the first GEO satellite operator to achieve MEF 3.0 Carrier Ethernet certification for our services, so we are very pleased to see OpenSpace meet the same standard, supporting our efforts toward end-to-end network interoperability. It also represents an important milestone for OpenSpace, demonstrating the ability to support interoperable service offerings in mobility and the eventual migration to 5G services.”

To receive MEF’s CE 3.0 certification for the OpenSpace Platform, Kratos passed a comprehensive set of test cases that ensure interoperability in a multi-vendor global network environment. The certification validates that the Platform supports the delivery of a broad range of MEF 3.0 portfolio of services including E-Line (point-to-point) and E-Tree (multipoint service) and operator services including Access E-Line (point-to-point).

According to Kevin Vachon, Chief Operating Officer, MEF, “Companies like Kratos understand the value that certification provides—simplified, pre-validated functionality for buyers and simplified, frictionless implementation and partnering. Achieving MEF 3.0 Carrier Ethernet certification is a step towards enabling the more seamless delivery of satellite services across global provider networks. Telecommunications operations require the service automation, scalability and end-to-end QoS and SLA visibility that Carrier Ethernet brings to network operations. We are delighted to see Kratos achieve MEF 3.0 certification.”

For more about OpenSpace dynamic ground visit: https://www.kratosdefense.com/Satcom.
For more information about telecom and satellite network integration, read NSR’s (an Analysys Mason company) white paper: https://www.kratosdefense.com/carrier-ethernet.

About Kratos OpenSpace
Kratos’ OpenSpace family of solutions enables the digital transformation of satellite ground systems to become a more dynamic and powerful part of the space network. The family consists of three product lines: OpenSpace SpectralNet for converting satellite RF signals to be used in digital environments; OpenSpace quantum products, which are virtual versions of traditional hardware components; and the OpenSpace Platform, the first commercially available, fully orchestrated, software-defined ground system. These three OpenSpace lines enable satellite operators and other service providers to implement digital operations at their own pace and in ways that meet their unique mission goals and business models. For more information about the OpenSpace family visit http://KratosDefense.com/OpenSpace.

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology company that develops and fields transformative, affordable systems, products and solutions for United States National Security, allies and global commercial enterprises. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technology is rapidly brought to market – at a low cost – with products, systems and technologies rather than slide decks or renderings. Through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive, internally funded research and streamlined development processes, Kratos is focused on being first to market with our solutions, well in advance of competition. Kratos is the recognized technology disruptor in our core market areas, including Space and Satellite Communications, Cyber Security and Warfare, Unmanned Systems, Rocket and Hypersonic Systems, Next-Generation Jet Engines and Propulsion Systems, Microwave Electronics, C5ISR and Virtual and Augmented Reality Training Systems. For more information, visit www.KratosDefense.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 25, 2022, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.

Press Contact:
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