Korean P-3C Maritime Patrol Aircraft Receive Satellite Communications Upgrades

August 20, 2025

A Republic of Korea Navy P-3C Orion arrives at Marine Corps Base Hawaii for Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in 2018. (Image: U.S. Navy)

Get SAT, the Seoul, South Korea-based satellite terminals maker, has completed installations and upgrades of two P-3C maritime patrol aircraft for the Republic of Korea's Navy.

The upgrades were completed in collaboration with Korean satellite service provider KT SAT and KAI Networks, a system integration company that specializes in aerospace communications. R4 Integration, a provider of airborne roll-on/roll-off communication systems for U.S. and partner government aircraft, also helped to enable the upgrade.

The P-3C is a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, used for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and search and rescue (SAR) missions. The fleet plays a key role in securing South Korea’s maritime domain and supporting regional stability.

This upgrade marks a significant step in the modernization of the ROK Navy’s long-range ISR fleet and is part of a broader initiative to enhance airborne connectivity across the Navy’s 16-aircraft P-3C fleet.

This is the satellite terminal that GET SAT is providing for the Republic of Korea's P-3C aircraft. (Image: GET SAT)

At the core of the upgrade is Get SAT’s Milli H LW Ku-band terminal, a lightweight, low-profile solution for airborne beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communication. Measuring just 33×37cm and weighing 10.2kg (22.2 pounds), the Milli H delivers reliable, high-performance satellite connectivity — making it well-suited for legacy aircraft upgrades.

The installation was carried out using R4 Integration’s hatch-mount solution, tailored for the P-3C platform to minimize disruption to the aircraft structure while maximizing ease of deployment. Collaboration between Get SAT, KT SAT, Kainet, and R4 ensured smooth integration, drawing on each partner’s specialized expertise.

By leveraging KT SAT’s network, the upgraded system now provides real-time data links and persistent command-and-control connectivity—empowering crews with enhanced situational awareness and operational flexibility.

“Our hatch-mount solution is designed for fast integration with minimal impact to the aircraft, and we are pleased to see it supporting critical missions for the Republic of Korea Navy,” said John Parsley, President of R4 Integration. “Working alongside Get SAT, KT SAT, and KAI Networks was a great example of how industry partnerships accelerate operational readiness.”

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